Morton Hammond, M.D., 100 years young, of Palm Beach Gardens died peacefully on August 1, 2018. He was born in Baltimore, MD on February 17, 1918 to Joseph and Katie Hammond and witnessed the incredible advances of a century of technology and science.
He entered the University of Maryland at age 16 and graduated from their School of Medicine at age 24. He promptly was called into service in the Army Medical Corps in 1942 and spent 3 years in New Guinea, the Philippines and other islands in the Pacific Theater as part of a Forward Surgical Unit. He earned 5 combat stars, numerous ribbons and a Presidential Unit Citation. At war’s end he was discharged with a rank of Major.
He subsequently completed residencies in Pathology, and Internal Medicine, and a fellowship in Allergy & Immunology, moving to Miami in 1952. He started the first allergy clinic in Florida at Jackson Memorial Hospital and served as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami. He published numerous scientific articles, contributed to medical texts, developed new techniques in allergy management, and educated medical and nursing students, all while growing an international practice.
He was insatiably curious, a voracious reader, world traveler, devotee of TED talks and National Geographic specials, and lover of word etymology and crosswords. He loved art and music and contributed to many charitable efforts including The Friends of Music, The Friends of Theater, The Friends of Art, The Florida Grand Opera, the Blowing Rock Cultural Center in NC, the Concert Association of Miami and the Young Patronesses of the Opera. In 2010, he was selected as one of “12 Good Men” for the Ronald McDonald Foundation Award. He was a member of the Heritage Society at the University of Miami. Known for his snappy dress, he could always be spotted wearing a tie, two-tone shoes and eye-catching socks.
He was married to his life partner, Beatrice Levine, for 52 years. Their two sons, Jeffrey (NJ) and Scott (Colorado), also became physicians. Their wives, Jill and Janie, as well as his niece Nancy, were truly daughters to him. He had 5 talented grandchildren of whom he was immensely proud and 2 vivacious great-grandchildren who doted on their Papoo. He was widowed in 1998, and he later remarried to Irene Patti Swartz who shared his love of music and especially opera. She pre-deceased him in 2009. Two brothers and a sister also pre-deceased him. Since 2010 he lived at La Posada, where he had many friends who will miss his wit and banter.
Mort Hammond lived a full life and leaves the world a better place for his having been here. Private family-only services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any veteran’s charity.
