Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Hammerstein, Jr.

Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Hammerstein, Jr. died peacefully on May 12, 2022, in Raleigh, NC, at the age of 86. Born in Evansville, Indiana on February 16, 1936, Larry was the son of Lawrence Joseph Hammerstein, Sr., and Florence Schneider Hammerstein, and baby brother to sisters Jean, Mary Jo, and Ruth. He spent his youth in Evansville, then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature at Marian College (now Marian University), in Indianapolis, IN. There he met and fell in love with his wife-to-be, Norberta “Berta” Marie Mack. Married on June 13, 1959, they moved to Evansville, IN to begin their lives together. They bore six rambunctious children between 1960 and 1971. The family lived in Evansville for 24 years. Larry served in the Indiana National Guard for six years. During this time, he also embarked on what became an acclaimed career as a writer and editor, roles he pursued as both vocation and avocation for the rest of his life. His first professional writing turn was at the city’s newspaper, The Evansville Press, where he served as a reporter and Bureau Chief for the Western Kentucky edition. Larry was a skilled hard news reporter but was also well known for his colorful and compelling feature stories on a wide range of human-interest topics. His next 12 years as a professional writer and communicator continued in Evansville, as Public Relations Director of St. Mary’s Medical Center. From there he went on to work as senior writer, editor, and communications manager for Ball Communications, Inc. Larry’s time in Evansville was also marked by strong civic engagement, and a bit of entrepreneurialism. The latter spirit led he and Berta to the opening of a unique and popular business; an art gallery and gift shop exclusively featuring works by artists and craftspeople from Indiana. He was a loyal and enthusiastic member of the Democratic Party, working for many candidates and managing a major mayoral campaign in 1975. Active in community theatre, Larry was considered a consummate actor, captivating audiences in a wide range of lead roles at Evansville Civic Theatre. He nimbly transformed his persona from the complex, introspective character based on the Bible’s Job, in the play J.B., to the cunning killer in Wait Until Dark, to the obsequious janitor in The Bad Seed, to his award-winning turn in the title role in Neil Simon’s The Good Doctor.  The civic undertaking closest to his heart, though, from the time he was a young man following in his own father’s footsteps, through all the decades of his life, was his devotion to the cause of improving race relations. As a young man influenced by his father, Lawrence Hammerstein, Sr., who helped integrate Mead Johnson Company, once headquartered in Evansville, Larry joined a picket line in front of the Victory Theatre on Main Street in Evansville, which at the time did not permit black citizens to attend films and other events there. In 1963, Larry, wife Berta, and their close friend, Father Terrance Gerkin, established the Evansville Interracial Council. Larry took deep pride in the Council’s contributions to the Civil Rights movement. The council members provided educational panel discussions on race relations to schools and churches, and organized Home Visitation Sundays, which brought together hundreds of black and white families who took turns hosting each other in their homes for Sunday dinner. Many participants reported that they gained rich knowledge and greater understanding through these events, some forming their first, strong, personal relationships across race. Together with congregations of various faiths across the city, council members helped form the Evansville Council on Religion and Race. After many fulfilling years in Evansville, in 1983 Larry and his family struck out for North Carolina, moving to Raleigh, where Larry lived the rest of his days. As Communications Manager at S&ME, Inc., a highly regarded engineering, environmental, and energy company in Raleigh, Larry spent nearly 30 years as a loved and respected leader and colleague. He had a gift for translating complex scientific information into clear, interesting reading. His gentle but incisive approach as an editor helped many of his coworkers hone their own writing skills. He connected well with employees at all levels across the company, consistently engaging in his natural manner, with good humor, true interest, and mutual respect. In fact, for all his many accomplishments, Larry may have been best known throughout his life for his two most evident, consistent, distinct attributes: an authentic, unceasing kindness, and a relentless sense of humor. Larry’s quiet graciousness and consistent compassion for everyone he met has touched many lives. And his affinity for a good jest, from the wry wit to the corny; from slapstick to dry satire, made him a joy to be around. Larry adored every member of his huge family, and they each adored him. His affection will be missed beyond measure.

After 62 years of marriage, Larry lost his beloved wife, Berta Hammerstein, on December 13, 2021. He was also preceded in death by his three sisters, Jean Ulrich and Ruth Griffin of Evansville, IN, and Mary Jo Bridgford of Newburgh, IN. He is survived by his six children, Vincent Hammerstein, Julie Boler (m. William), Kenneth Hammerstein, Carol Parish (m. Parker), Jeffrey Hammerstein (m. Letitia), and Sara Yorgensen (m. William); thirteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm, Friday, May 20, 2022 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545. 

The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 3:00 to 3:45 pm at the funeral home.                               

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