1931
Bernard
2014
Dr. Bernard James Lammers
January 29, 1931 — December 20, 2014
Dr. Bernard James Lammers, January 29, 1931 – December 20, 2014
Bernard James Lammers was born in Louisville, KY, the only son of Raymond and Lillian Lammers, on January 29, 1931. After an active childhood in Louisville, including studies at St. James School, Bernie left home at age 13 and entered a Franciscan seminary near Cincinnati, and progressed through the novitiate at St. Anthony's Monastery at Mount Airy and to Duns Scotus College outside Detroit to study philosophy.
Deciding that his temperament was not right for a lifetime in the Order, Bernie then enrolled in Georgetown University to complete a Master's degree Cum Laude in social sciences, while also working as an editor and assistant secretary of the Institute of World Polity at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown. During this time Bernie met Dorothy Day and worked as a volunteer at Friendship House, a Catholic interracial settlement house. Bernie worked at the National Security Agency as an intelligence analyst and as an instructor and editor for the Association for International Development as publications editor, secretary of the training staff and head of the speakers' bureau.
Bernie continued advanced studies in Public Law and Government at Columbia University and completed the PhD majoring in American government and minoring in political theory. When his dissertation was completed Dr. Lammers joined the faculty of St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and continued as Professor of Public Law and Government for 39 years. Dr. Lammers also served as pre-law advisor and to further his expertise in Public Law and Government earned a JD degree from the University of Chicago and worked as a Project Director for the American Bar Foundation in Chicago. Dr. Lammers taught an estimated 10,000 students over the years and continued to serve the needs of former students, researching issues on elections, political candidates, domestic and foreign policy issues, and providing advice on personal career options. His publications include Legislative Process and Drafting in U.S. Law Schools, and Fragmented Government, published in 1997.
Dr. Lammers was known as a charismatic teacher with a passion for law and government who inspired many students to pursue careers in public service both in the US and abroad. Dr. Lammers received both the Keene Award for recognition of high standards of personal scholarship, effective teaching and moral concern and was selected as the Class of 2005 ODY Outstanding Faculty Member. Bernie was also well-known among SLU faculty for his "Bernie-grams" which were concise and timely comments on a wide variety of issues on the SLU campus and was a trusted, energetic and loyal colleague.
Dr. Lammers was also active in civic and community affairs, as Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress in 1984 and an active member of many progressive political organizations. He also served as lector, cantor, organist and catchecist at Saint Mary's parish in Canton, and as organist at the Saint Thomas Moore parish.
Bernie is survived by his loving wife Jane Wheeler Lammers of Canton, NY, and son- and daughter-in-law Matthew Wheeler and Ginel Hill of Sunnyvale, CA, and their two young sons, Silas and Colden. Bernie's surviving family include his sister Betty Medina of Louisville, KY, sister and brother-in-law Martha and Art Hughes of Atlanta, GA, cherished children Christian Lammers and Lea Grier of Atlanta and Seana Lammers of Lakeview, OR, and Lea's husband Greg and talented and lively children Hayden and Lillianna. Bernie will be keenly missed as the respected and beloved elder statesman of the entire extended family.
Calling hours will be at the O'Leary Funeral Home in Canton on Sunday, December 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mary's Church in Canton on December 29 at 11 a.m.
Donations may be made to Hospice of St. Lawrence County or to Catholic Charities. Condolences may be expressed online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.
Bernard James Lammers was born in Louisville, KY, the only son of Raymond and Lillian Lammers, on January 29, 1931. After an active childhood in Louisville, including studies at St. James School, Bernie left home at age 13 and entered a Franciscan seminary near Cincinnati, and progressed through the novitiate at St. Anthony's Monastery at Mount Airy and to Duns Scotus College outside Detroit to study philosophy.
Deciding that his temperament was not right for a lifetime in the Order, Bernie then enrolled in Georgetown University to complete a Master's degree Cum Laude in social sciences, while also working as an editor and assistant secretary of the Institute of World Polity at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown. During this time Bernie met Dorothy Day and worked as a volunteer at Friendship House, a Catholic interracial settlement house. Bernie worked at the National Security Agency as an intelligence analyst and as an instructor and editor for the Association for International Development as publications editor, secretary of the training staff and head of the speakers' bureau.
Bernie continued advanced studies in Public Law and Government at Columbia University and completed the PhD majoring in American government and minoring in political theory. When his dissertation was completed Dr. Lammers joined the faculty of St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and continued as Professor of Public Law and Government for 39 years. Dr. Lammers also served as pre-law advisor and to further his expertise in Public Law and Government earned a JD degree from the University of Chicago and worked as a Project Director for the American Bar Foundation in Chicago. Dr. Lammers taught an estimated 10,000 students over the years and continued to serve the needs of former students, researching issues on elections, political candidates, domestic and foreign policy issues, and providing advice on personal career options. His publications include Legislative Process and Drafting in U.S. Law Schools, and Fragmented Government, published in 1997.
Dr. Lammers was known as a charismatic teacher with a passion for law and government who inspired many students to pursue careers in public service both in the US and abroad. Dr. Lammers received both the Keene Award for recognition of high standards of personal scholarship, effective teaching and moral concern and was selected as the Class of 2005 ODY Outstanding Faculty Member. Bernie was also well-known among SLU faculty for his "Bernie-grams" which were concise and timely comments on a wide variety of issues on the SLU campus and was a trusted, energetic and loyal colleague.
Dr. Lammers was also active in civic and community affairs, as Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress in 1984 and an active member of many progressive political organizations. He also served as lector, cantor, organist and catchecist at Saint Mary's parish in Canton, and as organist at the Saint Thomas Moore parish.
Bernie is survived by his loving wife Jane Wheeler Lammers of Canton, NY, and son- and daughter-in-law Matthew Wheeler and Ginel Hill of Sunnyvale, CA, and their two young sons, Silas and Colden. Bernie's surviving family include his sister Betty Medina of Louisville, KY, sister and brother-in-law Martha and Art Hughes of Atlanta, GA, cherished children Christian Lammers and Lea Grier of Atlanta and Seana Lammers of Lakeview, OR, and Lea's husband Greg and talented and lively children Hayden and Lillianna. Bernie will be keenly missed as the respected and beloved elder statesman of the entire extended family.
Calling hours will be at the O'Leary Funeral Home in Canton on Sunday, December 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mary's Church in Canton on December 29 at 11 a.m.
Donations may be made to Hospice of St. Lawrence County or to Catholic Charities. Condolences may be expressed online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.
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