Dr. Robert M. "Bob" Hammaker, age 91, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan. Bob was born on February 9, 1934, in Evanston, Illinois, to Paul M. Hammaker and Patricia (Curry) Hammaker. He was raised in the greater Chicago area and graduated from New Trier High School.
Bob attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut graduating with a degree in chemistry in 1956. Bob went on to graduate school at Northwestern University, receiving his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1960.After a brief period working at Texaco Research Center, Bob moved to Manhattan, Kansas in 1961. He joined the chemistry department faculty at Kansas State University. He was a professor of physical chemistry and remained at Kansas State for his entire academic career.
During his time at Kansas State University, Bob was involved in a number of research projects. One of his primary areas of focus was vibrational spectroscopy. A relatable application was its use in analyzing air quality in operating rooms specifically anesthetic gases in the operating room. Another major research project was being able to monitor blood glucose levels through the skin without having to pierce the skin. The groups research proved it could be done; however, the equipment at the time was too large for practical applications.
Bob authored or coauthored more than 100 publications, and his research has been cited more than 50 times. Along with teaching, Bob was very active with graduate students and advised many masters and PhD candidates over the years.
In 1976, Bob took a sabbatical at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, where he continued research in near-infrared spectroscopy. While living abroad, the family took advantage of their location to travel extensively throughout northern Europe, visiting Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
A second sabbatical at the University of California – Riverside lead to more exploring on the west coast and reconnecting with California relatives. Bob also traveled widely to chemistry conferences presenting research conducted by his group. He attended many conferences in the United States and worldwide including India, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Greece, Austria, England, Finland, Japan and Hungary. Family members recall interesting stories from his travels. One memorable conference in Hungary Bob helped a roommate (whom he did not know before the conference) navigate a medical emergency in a country where neither spoke the local language. It was quite an adventure with a positive outcome.
One of Bob's research endeavors outside the university took place in Hawaii. This meant multiple trips and several summers spent on the Big Island in Kona. These opportunities also became memorable family vacations.Outside of his professional life, Bob was a devoted Kansas State sports fan. He held prime season basketball tickets during the years the team played in Ahearn Field House and enjoyed taking his children to games. He was known for insisting that one should never leave a game early as a comeback was always possible. When K-State proved him right it was a very exciting final few minutes of play.
The family also enjoyed going on canoeing trips and picnicking at Lake Elbo and Tuttle Creek. Bob retired from Kansas State University in 2004 after 43 years on the faculty. He continued his research for several years afterward.Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Patricia Hammaker, and his brother, David Hammaker.He is survived by his brother, John Hammaker of Georgia; his daughter, Lucy of Texas; his son, Barry (Maria) of Colorado; three grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.A memorial service will be held during the summer months in Colorado.Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Bob's memory be made to the Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund or to the charity of one's choice. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.