Karl Rudolph Hammerdorfer

June 28, 1936 - April 27, 2018

Karl R. Hammerdorfer, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.), of Woodbridge VA, died on April 27, 2018. He was born on June 28, 1936 in Mount Vernon, NY to the late Carl and Therese Tocci Hammerdorfer. Hammerdorfer was a career Air Force veteran who served honorably for 30 years and whose service remained the most important part of his working and social life. His service included a total of 12 years in Germany, one year in Vietnam, 3 years at Langley AFB in Virginia, 5 years at Scott AFB in Illinois, culminating in 4 years at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska, among other postings. In the Air Force, the “Hammer”, as everyone called him, rose to the highest enlisted ranks and was a respected leader within Air Weather Service. He had a reputation for professionalism, mentoring young, up-and-coming airmen and women, hard work, loyalty, service, and, perhaps more than anything, a great sense of humor. In his final station at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, the young enlisted men and women in his charge dubbed him “Chief Hammer of the Yukon”. Even after retirement, the Hammer remained close to the people of USAF. Hammer went to work for the Army’s Night Vision Laboratory at Fort Belvoir, VA, traveling widely to test state of the art equipment. Although he enjoyed that work for over 10 years, it never quite measured up to his beloved Air Force. He retired for good in 1995 and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement with his wife, Joyce, frequent visits by his 3 kids and stepdaughter, Lori, and frequent visits to his grandkids, and his many friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Hammerdorfer; his three children and their spouses, Diana Hammerdorfer and William Clements of Fort Collins, CO, Carl Hammerdorfer and Kathy Lynch, currently residing in Prishtina, Kosovo, and Lance Hammerdorfer and Christy Waldron of Sanford FL. He is also survived by his step-daughter and husband, Lori and Bill Foy of San Antonio, TX. Karl loved his eight grandchildren, Andrew Hammerdorfer of Gulf Shores, AL, Christian Hammerdorfer of Denver, CO, the late Matthew Hammerdorfer, Kyle Hammerdorfer of Brooklyn, NY, Miles and Ella Hammerdorfer of Orlando, FL; David Foy of San Antonio, TX, and Brandon Foy of Rochester, NY. Karl will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He loved to travel, cooking, fine wines, fine dining, reading history, supporting the New York Yankees, and Giants, and the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball). Karl greatly enjoyed daily life, making friends wherever he went. Perhaps most of all, he loved telling and hearing stories around the dinner table or over coffee with family and friends. He was most passionate about spending time with his wife, children and his extended family. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on June 7, 2019 at 1:00PM.