Necrology

Richard James Carmer '48

Jun. 27, 1923-Aug. 5, 2019

Richard James Carmer ’48, a vice president of the Harden Furniture Co., in McConnellsville, N.Y., was born on June 27, 1923, in Larchmont, N.Y., to the former Alma Sayles and Kenneth Carmer, a plumbing fixtures representative. He graduated from Mamaroneck (N.Y.) High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving with the 10th Mountain Division from 1942 to 1944.

Following his service, Carmer made his way to Hamilton where he was a member of Student Council, Was Los, the baseball team, and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. A standout on skates, he also played for the Continentals hockey team and professionally with the Clinton Comets.

Carmer noted in his 50th reunion yearbook that because of his experiences on the Hill he “urged and successfully sent all my children to liberal arts colleges, Hamilton and similar schools.”

Following his graduation, he accepted a sales position with Harden Furniture, owned by the family of his fellow Hamilton classmate David Harden. Carmer remained with the company for 43 years until his retirement as vice president of sales.

During his Army service he became a skier and also enjoyed golf and tennis. Carmer was an avid reader and a teacher of history. He remained in the McConnellsville community after his retirement and was involved with the nonprofit Cluster 13 Ministries and the McConnellsville Community Church, among other activities. He also served Hamilton as class gift chair and reunion chair, and volunteered for the Career Center.

Carmer died on Aug. 5, 2019. He was 96 years old and is survived by his wife of 68 years, the former Jane Kies; four children, including Richard Carmer, Jr. ’73; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

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