Michael K. Hammaker ’73

Michael died April 29, 2025, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and after more than 10 years of fighting primary lateral sclerosis, a rare neurodegenerative disease.

Michael was raised in Goochland County, Va., and graduated from the Collegiate School. At Princeton, Michael’s roommates and his friends at Colonial Club came to regard him as the nicest person they ever knew. As a sophomore he lived in the “Zoo Suite” in 121 Dodge-Osborn with Fred Larson, Tom Gallatin, Rick Cagan, Kevin Ashley, David Elkind, Richard Dahab, Howard Chatzinoff ’74, Bruce Malashevich ’74, Gary Scharff ’74, and Bob Noto ’74.

Michael loved Princeton. and he proposed to Cate, the love of his life, in the Princeton Chapel. Michael and Cate had two children: Michael, who died in 2021, and Jane.

After graduating, Michael attended the University of Virginia Law School. He practiced law in Washington, D.C., first in private practice as a corporate litigator, and then for 20 years with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Michael was a person of great faith. Even as PLS took its progressive toll, he continued to write for the “Online Disciples” at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington.

Michael will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him as an example of how to live a life of kindness and compassion.