In Remembrance of Edward Lee Hamm

Edward was a long-time client at Hope’s Corner, often coming to eat, carrying his Stanford Continuation Studies book. He was born in Marion, South Carolina and as a young child moved to Harlem, in New York City.  He was an enigma until we became friends. One day he mentioned that while he was in the Air Force, he had served at the Royal Air Force Station near London. Then we learned that he had a master’s degree from UC Berkeley. He was a vocalist. He survived many years on the streets of Mountain View, keeping to himself. His last weeks were initially spent at El Camino Hospital where he listened to Louie Armstrong singing songs like “When the Saints Go Marching In.” He was then lovingly cared for during his last days at Missionaries of Charity, an order of Mother Teresa that cares for terminally ill men in Pacifica. He will be laid to rest on April 25th, at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. A scholarship has been set up in his memory that will provide educational support for local low-income students.