The Connection

Robert Hemm of Springfield celebrated his 95th birthday on Monday, June 20. Hemm’s busy life has centered on serving his country and community. At 95 that hasn’t changed. Still involved in numerous organizations that focus on assisting others he finds it important to “just keep moving.”

In that spirit Hemm kicked off his birthday by leading the senior exercise class at Messiah Methodist Church. To encourage the class Hemm plays upbeat German Polka for them to exercise to. Typically the classes are spent in chairs, but on his birthday the class became a dance party. “He danced with each of the 15 women at the party,” said Barbara Mosser, a fellow exercise instructor at the Church.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1921 Hemm attended Washington University in St. Louis to study chemical engineering. While in college he joined the Junior ROTC, then transitioned to active duty in 1942 during World War II working in research and development for the Army Airforce for four years. “Back then they didn’t have a separate air force, it was through the Army, now it’s the USAF,” Hemm said.

Hemm is the middle of three generations of service in his family, his father served in the Navy during World War I while his son, Robert Hemm Jr., joined the air force and now works at the Pentagon. All three Hemms and two of his grandsons are also Eagle Scouts.

Hemm is modest about his service and the attention his birthday has garnered, but is cheerful and smiles easily. After the dance party the class enjoyed coffee and birthday cake. Hemm said he’s been receiving “birthday cards from London friends and all over the world.” During Hemm’s time in the military he traveled the world: London, Germany, Lisbon, Australia. As well as across the US to Ohio, Alabama, Texas and Virginia.

Hemm was recalled to active duty in 1951, where he served in the Korean War. Asked about any military honors, he gets shy, “the Legion Merit is the big one, that’s the one worth mentioning,” he said. The award is for outstanding service and achievement.

Hemm retired from the military in 1976 and moved to the area. “When I retired I moved to Virginia because more friends were here than any place.” Hemm’s service to the community continued in Virginia.

He worked on the Material Advisory board for the National Academy of Science until 1982. In 1983, at the age of 62, Hemm worked as a substitute teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Unsure of how long he taught there he retrieves an old ledger and runs his fingers down the page, lists of the details of his time as a substitute, “I didn’t work much at the end, the last time was in 2006.” He was 85.

Hemm and his wife, Barbara, were married for 66 years before Barbara passed away. “It was tough when Barbara died, I was ready to let go,” Robert Hemm says. He found love again with his longtime friend Jean. “Jean’s added some years on,” Robert Hemm noted.

Robert and Jean Hemm remain active. They work in the community through the Lions of Virginia, District 24A. They attend church concerts and like to polka and waltz as well as visit their timeshares in Williamsburg and Florida. Robert Hemm keeps himself sharp playing Sudoku, reading “every word of all the mail that comes” according to Jean, as well as the newspaper comics.

Robert and Jean Hemm have been married six years now and enjoy working together to keep moving.