Clark John Hamman

Clark John Hamman, 73, of Bethlehem, formerly of Hellertown, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Hidden Meadows on the Ridge, West Rockhill Twp. He was born in West Rockhill Twp. on December 8, 1950 to the late Kenneth R. and Ruth A. (Trumbore) Hamman. His love for music started as a young child. His parents played in the Red Hill Band and he would go with them to every concert. He attended Upper Perkiomen School District, where he learned to play the tuba in eighth grade and was selected to the District, County, and State Bands in High School. Clark graduated from Wilkes College and began his teaching career at Shickshinney School District before being hired in 1972 as the first Assistant Band Director of the Grenadier Band at Liberty High School, Bethlehem. He then was the Assistant Band Director at Freedom High School, Bethlehem.

Clark worked for the Bethlehem Area School District as an instrumental music teacher for 35 years until retiring. Spring Garden Elementary was his longest tenure. He found a way to get as many students started on an instrument as possible. It became his mission to buy used instruments with his own money and fix them up so that all students would have the opportunity to play on an instrument. Since Clark was able to play almost every instrument, he felt it was the best approach to teaching to play along with the students as they learned. He believed that he and his colleagues in the elementary schools were the foundation for the Bethlehem music dept. future. Of course, he was proud to specialize in low brass instruments and he always judged a marching band on how many sousaphones they had. He was proud to tell anyone he met that his family had five tuba players.

After his school day ended he would continue directing the Lehigh University Marching 97 from 1978-1989. Known as CJ to his college students, he was instrumental in relocating the band hall to Rauch Fieldhouse after Taylor Stadium closed. Clark was a dedicated member of The Allentown Band playing tuba for 55 years, an accomplishment he was very proud of. He also would fill in at many local concert and jazz bands in the area, not knowing what instrument they would need him to play for the concert so he would travel with several options. When his sons were young, he volunteered for the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Little League, coaching and being the equipment manager.

Survivors

Sons: Chadd A. (Stephanie M.) Hamman of Hellertown, Cayle E. (Stephanie R.) Hamman of Sellersville; Grandchildren: Caden P. Hamman, Ellie K. Hamman, Alaina R. Hamman, Drew O. Hamman.

Service

Family and friends are invited to his viewing 2pm-4pm Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem. A graveside service will be held at 11am Monday, May 13, 2024 at the Pennsburg U.C.C. Cemetery, 775 Main Street, Pennsburg, PA. Condolences may be offered online at www.connellfuneral.com

Contributions

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, 56 South Third Street, Hamburg, PA 19526-1828. https://www.pmea.net/give/