Obituary of Chandler Hammagren

Chandler was born in a farmhouse near St. James, Minnesota, to Joel and Lillian (Durheim) Hammagren. When he was six months old, at the height of the Great Depression, that house burned to the ground. Chandler and his family lived in a newly constructed barn on the property while his father rebuilt their home.

In 1937, the family moved to Albany, Oregon, where his parents invested in property, building homes and hotels in Albany and Newport. Chandler attended schools in St. James, Albany, and Lebanon, graduating in 1948. After graduation, he helped his father construct the Newport Motor Hotel. Later he attended Northwest Nazarene College before enlisting in the Navy in 1950. Chandler served as a Seabee in Argentina, Newfoundland, and on the USS Yosemite. He proudly kept his dress blues and Navy memorabilia.

Upon discharge in 1954, he moved to Bend, Oregon, where his family had relocated. That summer, he met Nancy Plummer. They married in 1955, and he stayed by her side for 69 years. His daughter Chandra Jo was born in 1956, and his son Charles Joel was born in 1959.

Chandler worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Bend Iron Works before spending 36 years with United Airlines, whose job transfer brought the family to Boise, Idaho, in 1957. After retiring in 1993, Chandler spent countless volunteer hours maintaining the grounds of the church he attended. He served as a greeter and active member of his church, traveled the world with Nancy, invested time with his grandchildren, and crafted an immaculate yard and home where he hosted many friends. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and love for his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, one brother, and two sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, children Chandra and Chuck (Debbie), seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was beloved as a husband, father, and grandfather.