James E. Hammarsten

Dr. James E. Hammarsten, 68 years old, passed away on 15 July 2016 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jim was born on 26 August 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Dorothea (Dee) and Dr. James F. Hammarsten. Jim was a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather; an accomplished and beloved doctor who helped advanced the study of medicine; and a friend to everyone he met.

Jim will be missed by his wife of 43 years, Beth (nee Crawford); daughter Britt; son Carl, his wife Deanna (Dee); son Eric, his wife Allicia; his favored grandchildren Anders and Riyah; his sister Linnea Ingold; brother Richard Hammarsten, his wife Catherine; his life-long friend William Mackoff; and countless others.

Jim attended grade school in both Grey Eagle, Minnesota and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While in school, he was the class president, played basketball, and was an avid member of the 4-H club (with his prize cow Bessie). He graduated Yale University in 1969 with a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature. While at Yale, in Timothy Dwight College, he carried the tuba in the marching band and campaigned for a co-ed campus. Jim put himself through the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, graduating in 1973, by translating Russian medical texts into English. As part of his education he was an exchange student in Portugal, Mexico, the United Kingdom (Oxford), Sweden, and East Germany. As part of his time in East Germany, he travelled to Russia for six weeks, during which time he grew his iconic beard that was with him for the next 50 years.

Throughout 43 years of practicing, teaching, and studying medicine in five countries, Jim lived his philosophy of medicine: heartfelt bedside manner, evidence-based medicine, and devoting the time to know the whole person were three equal parts of serving and treating his patients. He began his medical career with his Internship and Residency at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he finished as Chief Resident. Jim continued his education throughout his career, obtaining specialties in primary care, geriatrics, and tuberculosis. Jim practiced medicine in the fields of private practice, public health, government service, health insurance, medical education, and administration/leadership, and as an expert medical consultant and hospitalist. Some of his appointments included the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Tulsa City-County Health Department, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, the University of Minnesota, the University of Oklahoma, Mayo Medical School, and volunteer work with Physician with Helping Hands and Physician with Volunteers in Mission.

One of Jim’s earliest jobs was as a construction supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, where he supervised a team of six at the age of 18. Jim got this job because of his abilities in advanced mathematics and in working with a diverse group of people. This combination of intellect and ability to talk with anyone defined Jim’s passions, pursuits, and interactions throughout his life. Jim never met anyone he could not engage passionately about their jobs, hobbies, and views. Jim loved to read, but even more than reading he loved learning. He especially loved learning about computers, and in the early 80’s Jim followed his love of computers and the Apple brand and opened his own computer store in Rochester. Jim prided himself on being macaronic, a skill that he developed as a result of his ability to read and speak multiple languages and to pick up new languages very quickly. Jim’s favorite pastime was spending time with his family; a hobby he excelled at because of his desire to devote himself 100 percent to whatever activity they chose. His view was to have fun, and that was what his family always had when he was around.

Jim spent his whole life improving and enriching the lives of everyone he met. His family always viewed him as one in a million, and we’re sure that the other 999,999 will miss him as much as we do.

A committal service for Jim will be held at Floral Haven on Wednesday, 20 July at noon, followed by the memorial service at First United Methodist Church of Claremore at 2pm.

Memorial contributions in Jim's memory may be made to American Lung Association, P.O. Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001 or Alzheimers Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6001.

View and Sign Jim's online tribute at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com