Hans H. Sammer

Hans H. Sammer, age 89 of Wyckoff, NJ formerly of Allendale died unexpectedly on Sunday, August 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Hans was born in Bronx, NY and had been a resident of Allendale for 55 years before moving to Wyckoff two years ago. Hans spent his entire career involved in investment banking.

Hans is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dora Sammer of Wyckoff, NJ, his daughter, Dina Simonetti and her husband Steve of Wayne, NJ, his son, Peter Sammer and his wife, Tara of Fishkill, NY and his daughter-in-law, Wendy Widmer Sammer of Cary, NC.  His six grandchildren; Alexa, Lindsay, Steven, Ashley, Tyler, and Dylan brought him immense joy along with his nieces and nephews. Hans was predeceased by his son, Hans H. Sammer, his parents, Hans and Minnie Sammer and a sister, Elsa Phin.

Hans had an incredible thirst for knowledge and with that came a want to see the world.  He started his travels with his mother in Europe and expanded to Asia during his time in the Army.  After marrying Dora the travels continued to all points on the globe.  His travel was assisted by his love of playing volleyball which took the two to Ireland, Germany, the Caribbean, and Australia.  Another love of theirs was birding which brought them to Central America. Even into his eighties he shared his wanderlust with his grandsons.  Taking Steven on a rafting expedition in Moab, Utah and Tyler to see the wonders of the Galápagos Islands. 

Closer to home Hans was always an involved man.  He took part in local government, sports clubs, and hometown organizations.  In the early eighties, Hans and Dora moved within Allendale to a new house which abutted a wetlands sanctuary, the Celery Farm.  Hans struck up a favored friendship with the Marsh Warden, who shared the wonders of the Celery Farm.  In turn Hans shared it with friends and family alike.  Many hours were spent walking through the Farm in all types of weather.  The area drew in a vast community of bird watchers and naturalists that soon became friends.  

His connection was the deepest with the American Turners New York, ATNY.  The organization was based in the Yorkville district of Manhattan.  His youth was spent at ATNY taking gymnastic and German classes.  At eighteen years of age he was able to become a member and continued that membership for 71 years.  Along the way he followed in his father’s footsteps taking the helm as president of the organization.  If you wonder about his devotion to the institution you must also know that he met Dora at one of the dances.  His loyalty to the organization continued to his last days as he worked to support and carry the name into the 21 century.  The ATNY is a social athletic organization and Hans took their motto of ‘Sound Mind Sound Body’ to heart. Hans enjoyed competitive and casual sports as long as it involved Gemutlichkeit (enjoyment through camaraderie).  No matter his age he could be found on the beach at Long Beach Island, NJ competing in friendly volleyball or an intense game of smashball with his grandchildren.  Along with enjoying the beauty of their home on Long Beach Island, Hans and Dora also took pleasure in the escape south to Ocala, Florida where they spent many a winter enjoying time with dear friends old and new. 

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ.

A private cremation will be held at East Ridgelawn Crematory in Clifton.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Hans’ memory may be made to The Fyke Nature Association, www.fykenature.org, P.O. Box 141, Ramsey, NJ 07446, National Park Foundation, www.nationalparks.org, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005, or Alzheimer New Jersey, www.alznj.org, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068.