Fourth-year College student Michael Hammaker passed away May 21, Dean of Students Allen Groves shared in a community-wide message Tuesday.
Hammaker was a native of Bethesda, Maryland who pursued his love of music on Grounds as an active member of the a-cappella group the Virginia Gentleman. Hammaker performed with the group at events both in Charlottesville, such as Fall Family Weekend in 2018, and across the globe. As the group’s business manager, Hammaker also organized trips to Guatemala, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego and Los Angeles.
“His beautiful voice brought happiness to so many, and he enjoyed sharing it with the community,” Groves wrote.
Friends also remember Hammaker as fiercely loyal, honest and goofy and as someone who thrived on ensuring his friends got the most out of life. They remember he was unafraid to speak his mind, inspiring those around him to live up to their fullest potential.
“[Michael] gave you his love as a gift,” one member of the Virginia Gentleman told Groves. “Love was his currency and he always paid things forward with love.”
Hammaker is survived by his parents, Catherine and Michael, as well as his sister Jane, who is a College Class of 2018 and Batten Class of 2019 alumna. Services to celebrate Michael’s life will take place June 5 at 1:00 p.m. at National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC and Hammaker’s family welcomes all who wish to remember him.
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