Russell Leroy Hamm

Russell Leroy Hamm, 82, of Rosedale passed away on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 at Union Hospital, Terre Haute.

He was born on Sept. 6, 1926 in Devore, Ind., Taylor Township, Owen County. He was the son of Bert Hamm and Ruby Florence Sutherlin Hamm.

Mr. Hamm was a teacher and professor. He graduated from Quincy High School in April 1945. He entered the U.S. Army in May 1946. After basic training in Camp Livingston, La., he was a military policeman at Ft. Myer, Va. He was honorably discharged Oct. 18, 1946. He received a B.S. in 1950, M.S. in 1952 and ED.D. in 1960 from Indiana University.

He taught fifth grade and English at Cloverdale schools from 1950 to 1953. He taught core curriculum and American studies at Bloomington High School from 1953 to 1956.

He was a graduate assistant under H.L. Smith and Shirley Engle in 1957 at Indiana University. From 1957 until 1960 he supervised student teachers and taught at St. Cloud State in Minnesota. From 1960 until 1965 he was coordinator of curriculum and instructions at Roseville, Minn. He was a guest teacher at Macalister College, St. Paul, Minn., during the summer of 1964.

In 1959 and 1960, he was president of Minnesota Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development. In 1959 and 1960, he was also president of Minnesota Core Conference.

From 1968 until 1988, he was a professor at Indiana State University. While at ISU, he edited Contemporary Education, a publication known worldwide. He was also executive secretary of Indiana A.S.C.D. During the spring semester of 1979-1980, he served as acting chairperson of the Department of Graduate Education. In 1978, he was awarded the Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award.

He did a considerable amount of writing. Among the many published books were "Cassandra's Crossing: The Future of Public Schooling," 1989; "Philosophy and Education: Alternatives in Theory and Practices," 1974; "Hooks for the Darkness," 1964; "As Sounding Brass," 1963; "A Teaching Guide" with Gena K. Hanson, 1962; "Intra-Class Grouping in Secondary School," 1971; and "Yearbook of Indiana Education" with Max Bough in 1970 and 1971.

He had written for The Spencer Evening World, The Daily Clintonian and The Owen Leader. Privately printed were "Wander Owen County," "Wander Parke County" and "Wander Vermillion County." Also, several novellas have been privately published, such as "Peregrine," "The Vixen" and "The Asp."

While at ISU, he also authored or co-authored several bulletins, such as Arenas of Power, Curricular Trends in Indiana Schools and Black People in America: A Teaching-Learning Unit.

He is survived by his daughter Rebecca Anne Bennett and husband Robert C. of Clark Center, Ill.; three grandchildren, Levi Clark Bennett, Jacob Hamm Bennett and Mollie Marie Bennett; sisters Jane Carpenter and husband Kenny of Greencastle, Jean Evans of Quincy; brother Jim Hamm and wife Mae of Gosport; aunt Marguerite Reed and uncle Charlie Sutherlin, both of Greencastle; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Cloverdale, with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Hudson Hill Cemetery.