ABOUT US

Rich Hammersmith was born and raised in Northwest Indiana. After growing up in Hobart, he graduated from Hobart High School in 1965. Upon graduation, Rich joined the United State Air Force and completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. He was stationed at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Wiesbaden, Germany, a member of the Fire and Crash Rescue Unit of the 7101 Civil Engineers, until completing his tour in 1969.

After returning home to Hobart, he completed the course of training at the Police Academy in Gary, Indiana, and joined the City of Hobart Police Department. Upon his retirement from the Hobart Police Department after 21 years of service, he joined the Indiana University Police Department, Northwest campus, in Gary, Indiana where he serves today.

In 1999, Rich was hired as caretaker for the City of Hobart Cemetery. It was while working at the cemetery and speaking with visitors there that the need for additional types of grave site maintenance services became apparent. In 2005, Of Grave Concern was created to meet those needs.

Rich and his wife Karen, also from Hobart, currently reside in Portage, Indiana. They have three children and four grandchildren.