HAMMERLE, Fred

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, April 9, 2003 Fred Hammerle a longtime Phoenix business leader, passed away on April 5, 2003 at the age of 86. After returning in 1945 from a four year stint in the South Pacific (where seven beach landings were completed), Fred Hammerle resumed his job as a manager with the Anderson-Dunham Company. Fred helped pioneer the emergence of movie location feeding from Four Corners and Monument Valley to Sedona and throughout southern Arizona. His tireless work with that company helped cement that industry to our state. Fred also formed friendships with many prominent stars of the era. Anderson-Dunham also operated many commercial hotel and restaurant operations in small towns around the state. They also housed and fed government contractors on big projects including dams and pipelines. Around 1950, Fred's boss Oscar Giles left and formed his own company, Oscar Giles Enterprises, and took Fred with him as a general manager. They acquired the food service contract at Williams and Luke Air Force Bases for the operation of the civilian cafeterias. Officers from the respective bases would periodically "white glove" inspect Fred's production kitchens and proclaim them cleaner than government operated. In 1954 the Federal Government wanted to take over the food service operations on all bases. Fred then became a minority partner with Oscar and they started the Hidden Harbor dinner house and the Range Coffee Shop, both located in the old downtown Adams Hotel. This is where the State Legislature mostly stayed when in session, at that time. In those non-politically correct times, it is said that more laws were discussed, argued about and sometimes agreed upon, in their bar than on the floor of the Capitol. About 1960, Fred and Oscar amicably split up. Fred and another partner, Alex Charnow, formed Complete Food Service Inc.. Fred successfully operated 15 inplant feeding cafeterias around the Phoenix area. These included the huge G.E. plant on north I-17 and the Swift Meat Packing plant in Tolleson. This dynamic company also had a vending division and over 100 lunch wagons that serviced construction sites around the valley. Fred also pioneered the first sandwich deliveries to the Circle K and U-Totem Stores. Fred sold his interest in Complete Food Service in 1982 and retired. Missing the foodservice industry that the loved so much, Fred started Chef's Catering Inc. with his son Chuck and daughter Terry several years later. Chef's Catering produces dinners, sandwiches, salads and snacks and wholesales them to foodservice distributors, vending companies, industrial caterers and schools. Fred was still working everyday, at age 86, as president of the firm up until several weeks ago. Fred never made public his numerous charitable contributions. He routinely helped those in need, particularly the common working person. He still receives holiday cards, letters and thank you notes from employees of as long ago as 40 years! In 1950's, Fred helped the Maricopa County Health Dept. draft its first official health code. Several of Fred's operations have been used as the paradigm for how things should be done, and officials even brought new inspectors through his operation for training. Fred has been a member of the Arizona Restaurant Assn. since around 1950. He served on the board of directors from 1972 until 1983. He has been a member of the National Restaurant Assn. since around 1960. Fred also served on the board of directors for the Industrial Caterers Assn.. Through Complete Food Service and Chef's Catering, he has received over 30 awards for his various food products. Fred was a decorated World War II veteran, who saw plenty of action with the 41st Infantry Division for 4 long years in the South Pacific. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was very proud of his service. Fred was a long time member of the American Legion, VFW and Fraternal Order of Police. In addition he has been a member of the Elks for 47 years and the Moose Club. Fred is survived by his daughter Sandy and her husband Lowell Bosse, his daughter Terry, and his sons Rob and Chuck and 10 grandchildren. Viewing and visitation will be on April 10, 2003 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be April 11, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, April 10, 2003 Fred Hammerle, 86, of Sun City, AZ, passed away April 5, 2003. Military Service: WWII, Army. Visitation is Thurs., April 10, Sunland Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ, 6-8pm. Services are Fri., April 11, 3pm, Sunland Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.