The last remaining member of the Hamon Glass family, Richard Hamon I, my father, died on April 19, 2019. Richard was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy, and brothers Leo, Robert, and Don. All worked in the family glass business in some capacity, at one time or another.
Dad worked for Hamon Glass for a few years after high school, and moved the family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he ran a glass shop for General Electric, then to Syracuse, New York, where he continued his work as a glass engineer and manager for General Electric at Electronics Park. He finished off his career in China, where he helped General Electric build a color television manufacturing facility.
When he retired, my father stayed involved with his brother, Robert, working with him on numerous glass projects, designing equipment and perfecting glassblowing processes. Dad formed a marble collector’s club and sold Robert’s special edition marbles to collectors throughout the United States. His love of all things glass, and his love for Robert, motivated him to remain involved with glass until Robert’s death, working as his closest associate and creative partner. Although dad lived in Florida, he made frequent trips home to Scott Depot, WV to visit with Bob and to work in the glass studio. Plus, they remained in constant telephone contact.
After Robert’s death, my father spoke of Robert often, and seemed to have him on his mind all the time. How dad longed for the return of the days when he and brother Bob were actively involved in the creation of a new glass project. On many occasions, dad and I discussed the family’s glassblowing legacy in glass. We talked about pieces Bob had made, along with his beautiful marbles. Dad told me about the history of the family glass business, how it all got started, and the events that shaped the business throughout the years. These were great and enjoyable conversations for us both, and I shall always miss them.
When my father died, the world lost a great man and a great glass man. He left behind his wife, Linda, four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. We will miss him, but, we will keep his memory alive through this website and blog.
Sadly, I lost my Uncle Don not long ago, as well. Donald was a glassblower, too. And he never seemed more at peace than when he was sitting at a glassblowing bench and crafting a piece of hot-stage glass. He was in his own world, nurtured by the heat from the furnace, and no doubt mesmerized by the piece of hot glass that he was bringing to life under his skilled left hand. He and I were very close, and I will cheerish his memory for as long as I live. I will be writing future blog articles about Uncle Don, and tying my family’s glassblowing history to the state of West Virginia’s wonderful glassblowing heritage.
My father and my uncles Robert and Donald were three of the most amazing and beautiful individuals I have ever known. Men with character and personality, men endowed with deep spirit, a delightful sense of humor, extraordinary intelligence and talent, and hearts of gold, Richard, Donald and Robert Hamon were in a class of their own.
— Richard Hamon II