I was part of HP Labs from 1964 to 72 and often worked with and learned from Don - a fine manager and an exemplar of the HP Way. Don, Paul Stoft and Barney Oliver were my role models as practitioners, managers and leaders of technical programs. Don could work magic with a quartz crystal and persuade a team to double the magic. One of the builders of the Silicon Valley.
I worked with Don on several occasions during my 23 years at HP, from 1969 until 1991. I always found him to be helpful, and an excellent scientist and engineer. He was also a fine manager, well regarded by his colleagues throughout the organization. I am saddened to hear of his passing.
Don was a mentor and friend to many - not the least myself. We enjoyed walks as we discussed things at Wesley Church and various other matters, large and small. Don was always patient and kind - borne of the fruit of the Spirit. I daresay, without Don there, it is doubtful that I would have come to Wesley Church as pastor. I have missed greatly his wise company and encouraging support.
I owe my success in life to several people: Dr. Virgil Bottom of McMurry University, Abilene, Texas; Charles Adams, who was a student of Dr. Bottom at McMurry; and Don Hammond--a student of Dr. Bottom at Colorado State University. Because of Dr. Bottom, Don got a job at HP where he later hired Charles Adams, who hired me! Thank you, Don!! RIP.
Don was a good friend, who took his responsibilities seriously, but not himself. He happily met with me to discuss the physics of quartz when I was researching some of its properties for a project while working for Bob Buzzard’s laser startup. Don was brilliant, practical, and approachable. I was amazed that a man in his position (then director of HP Labs) would take the time to help me puzzle out some physics of materials problem.
But that wasn’t the end of it. When Jim got transferred to England, Don and Phyllis came over for coffee and talked us through what to expect based on their recently having spent a year in Bristol. It was very comforting to someone with young children who was nervous about such a big change in the days before the internet put so much information at our fingertips.
Decades later, Don even insisted on meeting again when Jim got assigned back to Silicon Valley at the end of his career, to make sure that I could reconnect with laser companies in the area if I was interested.
My favorite Don moment, though, was in his Sunday school class at Wesley. It was the first meeting of the class (I don’t remember the specific topic, but Don was very well-prepared), and Don shared that he was nervous.
I thought to myself, “Why? It’s a small class of people he knows, he obviously speaks to large groups in public all the time…”
Then he explained, “When I speak at work, I know what I’m talking about. When I speak at the (Palo Alto) school board, I don’t know what I’m talking about, but it isn’t important. What we are studying here, I don’t understand, and it is of surpassing importance.” His grace, humility, humor, and faith in the incomprehensible mystery of Jesus Christ were all packed into that introduction, and it has stayed with me ever since.
With gratitude,
Carol Seidel
Wesley UMC 1977 - 1986
I am Don's cousin Ronda of Kansas City, Missouri. When my first daughter passed on Don did his best, with Kathe, to comfort me in ways my own parents were not able to do. My father and Don were first cousins, growing up in our mutual Morris family together. I am a DAR member as we are descendants of Founding Fathers and Families, we all love America. I remember Don's parents in Colorado.
I am Don's cousin Ronda of Kansas City, Missouri. When my first daughter passed on Don did his best, with Kathe, to comfort me in ways my own parents were not able to do. My father and Don were first cousins, growing up in our mutual Morris family together. I am a DAR member as we are descendants of Founding Fathers and Families, we all love America. I remember Don's parents in Colorado.
