Memorial Service for Paul Hamel on August 8

UPDATE: A memorial service for Paul Hamel will take place on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. in Pioneer Memorial Church. It will also be available to view at andrews.edu/livestream.

Obituary

Paul Hamel was born Aug. 8, 1919, in Kintyre, North Dakota, to Mahlon Glen and Irene Emma Flentie Hamel and died July 5, 2021, at his home in Berrien Springs, Michigan, surrounded by his wife and family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Beatrice Nelson Hamel, his son Glen Hamel, his parents Mahlon and Irene Hamel, his brothers Louis and Neal Hamel, his sister Beryl Hamel and one grandchild.

He is survived by his wife Esther Hensel Hamel, his sons Carl, Gary, Loren and Lowell Hamel, his brother Lyle Hamel, 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Paul was a veteran of WWII including duty in the European Theater of Operations. He served as professor of music and chair of the Andrews University Department of Music from 1946 until his retirement in 1986, in the building that now bears his name. He was also an historian, scholar, author, pilot, world traveler and avid reader. He was a member of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In the last hours of consciousness, the recurring refrain on his lips was “It is well, it is well with my soul!” Paul left his home draped in the flag he loved and served, flanked by an honor guard of family.

His life is celebrated by family, friends and numerous former students. Please remember the entire Hamel family as they grieve his passing.