R. D. Hamden

Richard David Hamden, Jr., was born at Kimball, West Virginia, on March 22, 1928. He was the son of Richard David, Sr., a 1924 emigrant from Syria, and Hattie Thompson Hamden. He married Myra Phyllis Wickham (1928-1982) in Roanoke, Virginia, on September 4, 1949.  Phyllis Hamden was the secretary to the Dean of Men and Dean of Women at Concord College.

R. D. Hamden graduated from Welch High School and received his B.A. Degree in music from Concord College (now Concord University) in 1950. He lived and worked in Roanoke in the early 1950s. He was the band director at Athens High School from 1956 to 1986, moving to Princeton after that time. In addition to being the elementary, junior high and senior high school band leader at Athens he also taught band at some of the surrounding elementary schools including Sun Valley and Melrose.

Henry Friedl, from the Athens High School Class of 1964, joined the band under Mr. Hamden’s leadership when he was in the 4th grade and continued until his graduation. He said Mr. Hamden was one of several AHS teachers who influenced him favorably in his choice of careers.

In discussing his experiences, Henry remembered that Mr. Hamden had a special program planned and asked him to stay beyond the end of his class. The problem was Henry’s next class was with Mrs. Ruth Thompson, and "no one skipped her class or was ever late for her class." With great trepidation Henry asked Mrs. Thompson if he could skip her class to practice band with Mr. Hamden. She said, “you need to bring me a note from Mr. Hamden.” Henry returned to Mr. Hamden's room but he was already involved with his next class. Henry had no choice but interrupt: “Mrs. Thompson said that she needs a note from you.” Mr. Hamden looked at Henry, didn't skip a beat, and sang a perfect G. -- Laaaaa." Henry said he didn't get the joke and said, “Really, Mrs. Thompson needs a note from you.” Mr. Hamden tried again, saying "Give Mrs. Thompson this note. It's G. Laaaaa." Mr. Hamden eventually quit teasing Henry and gave him the needed written excuse for Mrs. Thompson.

Another one of Mr. Hamden’s students, Jim Eden shared his memories of Mr. Hamden. He said, “R. D. was an interesting guy. He was a great musician, great golfer and golf team coach, but strict in band class and as golf coach. He insisted on perfection and mostly got it cause you didn’t want to have him, probably rightfully tell you how you messed up!! Actually he was one of my favorite teachers and coaches. I think he achieved #1 rating 25 of 30 years on full band at the annual band festival. Quite the achievement!”

Kenneth Meadows was another student of Mr. Hamden. He said, “Mr. Hamden was an extremely talented man, I almost felt sorry for him with some of the characters he had to put up with, lots of good memories.” Pamela Wingfield added, “So many memories of Mr. Hamden and band, just talking about him yesterday and how he repaired my trumpet." Leota Hayes said, “Mr. Hamden was the best. He is the reason I developed a love for instrumental music.”

Mr. R. D. Hamden’s wife Phyllis died on December 7, 1982, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the age of 54.

Mr. Hamden died in April 1987 at the age of 59. One of his past students, Meghan Aldridge, said, “Mr. Hamden was an amazing, well accomplished person. Mr. Hamden and I became good friends. I had the privilege of helping to care for him during his last year. He was a wonderful person.”