Pete Hammond was probably better known nationally than he was here in the Madison area, where he lived for most of the past 25 years. He retired in 2007 following a 41-year career with Madison-based InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He died in his home on December 29, 2008. A large crowd attended the memorial service held yesterday at Christ Presbyterian Church.
Alec Hill, the president of InterVarsity, noted that although Pete was a golfer, he didn’t keep score. That exemplified his personal relationships with others. "He did not expect reciprocity," he said, adding "We loved his passion for Jesus."
Jim Lundgren, InterVarsity senior vice president, called Pete Hammond a mentor and friend, a life model, and a visionary activist. "He lived a wonderful life of restless maturity," Jim said.
Pete Hammond invested heavily in personal relationships. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, despite his own background of growing up in a dysfunctional family of rodeo cowboys. He was deeply loved by his colleagues on staff with InterVarsity because of the initiative he took in encouraging them, particularly when they were experiencing difficult times. He also had a unique sense of humor. "We loved that slightly wicked twinkle in his eye," said Alec Hill.
"He loved to say things for effect," said pastor Alex Gee, of Fountain of Life Community Church. Reflecting on a get acquainted meeting with local black pastors that was hosted at Christ Presbyterian Church about 20 years ago, pastor Gee said that the pastors could hardly believe their ears when Pete Hammond introduced himself. "He said, ‘I’m Pete Hammond and I’m a recovering racist.’ We had never heard anyone refer to himself that way."
As pastor Gee got to know Pete Hammond better he asked Pete to be his mentor. Pete said that he preferred a different term, "sanctified meddler." Their relationship thrived.
"Pete labored tirelessly with God’s people," pastor Gee said, noting that "fulltime ministry" was a term that he abhorred. He believed that every Christian had a ministry and led three InterVarsity conferences in 1980, 1983 and 1986 focused on Marketplace Ministry. He also hosted a daily radio program called "Marketplace Voices" for about ten years, which was produced in Madison and broadcast on Christian radio stations across the country.
Pete Hammond also served as managing editor of The Word in Life Study Bible, published by Thomas Nelson. He served on the boards of over a dozen national organizations, including Christianity Today. He was also an elder at Christ Presbyterian Church. His son Scott said that he was frequently asked, "What’s it like to be Pete Hammond’s son." Scott said, "It was a blessing."
Pete was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, who died in 2007. Shirley was well-known as a volunteer in the Madison area, working with disadvantaged school children.
Despite the loss of his wife and beloved companion, Pete did not enter retirement with plans to take it easy. As Alex Gee pointed out, "retirement was a time to serve more fully in different areas." Pete Hammond continued to serve his savior, Jesus Christ, and those around him, right up until the Lord took him home. Pete Hammond was 72.