Obituaries

Robert Vaughn Hamm, of Halifax, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, surrounded by family and friends after a week in palliative care at the Victoria General Hospital.

He was predeceased by his father, Bernard K. Hamm, and is survived by his mother, Etta (Harrington) Hamm, his brother Craig Hamm and sister-in-law Patricia Avendaño; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Bible College

After graduating from Halifax West High School, Vaughn pursued a three-year program in theology and pastoral ministry at Zion Bible Institute in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated with top honours in May 1982, and was the chosen valedictorian from his class of 99 students. At the age of 21, he spoke with the confidence and poise of a seasoned professional.

Real estate

He later decided on another path, and enjoyed a successful career as a real estate agent in Halifax and surrounding areas. He went the extra mile for every client, earning him great respect in the field. Even at this young age, he bought three residential properties, living in one and renting out the other two.

Vancouver

In 1992, at the age of 31, Vaughn followed friends to Vancouver where he spent the next 16 years. There, he completed a two-year diploma program in photography before launching his own business. He rented a charming suite of professional spaces in downtown Vancouver, sub-letting offices to other entrepreneurs, and established Odin's Eye Hair & Photography Studio.

The chic hair studio, run by a talented barber, quickly became a local favourite. In the photography studio, Vaughn specialized in portraits of corporate professionals, actors, musicians and people with their pets. He loved the art and the fun of these collaborations.

From this location Vaughn also managed and edited The Loop, a monthly urban lifestyle magazine. He interviewed and photographed small-business owners, covered community events, wrote the articles, and sold the ads. A downtown business association praised The Loop for its role in promoting the city's entertainment scene, supporting small business, and fostering a renewed vibrancy to the downtown core.

Odin's hosted small social gatherings on Saturday nights, attracting a lively mix of personalities. This was a hub of positive energy, creativity, and connection for eight years to late 2000. He thrived in the lively, creative atmosphere he had built and loved the fun of it all.

Vancouver was Vaughn's base for later adventures and misadventures in BC and the United States, and sporadic trips to Nova Scotia and to Europe. Although his life veered off course for a time, he always made people feel heard, supported and hopeful. This was a lifelong trait.

Home again

In December 2008, at age 46, he returned to Halifax “for good” to be there for his parents, to rekindle old friendships and refamiliarize his feet to his old stomping grounds.

He soon settled into 17-year career as a mortgage agent with a brokerage firm he stayed with until recently. His single-minded goal with every client was to get their mortgage approved. His clients benefited from his knowledge of finance and his attention to detail. He also took time with unqualified enquirers, counseling them on becoming mortgage-ready. His sensitivity in this regard was impressive, and many of those calls later resulted in approved mortgages – and repeat business.

A friend in deed

Vaughn's interest in people, coupled with his spontaneity, rarely saw him looking away from anyone needing help. Without hesitation, he would go and rescue a friend whose car had broken down, drive a single mother and her little ones to doctors' appointments, or visit a friend grieving her husband's death. He helped and supported his parents through illness, house moves, and matters calling for advice from his insightful perspective. Ever optimistic, he had a gift for steering conversations away from negativity, believing that with the right attitude, most personal challenges could be overcome.

He especially liked helping that turned into adventures, such as the time he flew to northern Alberta to help a mortgage client he'd never met, to move to the East coast. They loaded a U-Haul truck with the lady's furniture and things, and drove to Nova Scotia where the two of them moved her belongings into her new home in Digby.

Love of dogs

During his three-plus years in Truro (2021–2024), Vaughn joined a dog rescue group that transported abused and neglected dogs from the U.S. border to Nova Scotia. Volunteers including Vaughn would gather at a designated location to greet an arriving busloads of dogs ready to be matched with their adopters. From his telling, these were noisy, chaotic events, yet profoundly joyful and moving. He also personally drove dogs to adopters who could not make it to the meet-ups, some of whom were miles away. He fostered two dogs and cared for them as though they were his own.

He also walked dogs from the SPCA’s Colchester Shelter two or three times a week – and laughed about the large "bully breeds" who walked him rather than the other way around. He found this hilarious!

Rich life, rich man

Although illness left Vaughn in a difficult place financially toward the end, he was so passionate about bringing hope and joy to others, that if simple “thank yous” were the true measure of wealth, he was rich beyond measure.

Last words

Heartfelt thanks go out to Daniel, David, Godfrey, Jakki, Robert, Stephen, Suzanne, Wayne, the kind people at Chelsea Place, and the VG Hospital Palliative Care Team. Special thanks to Eva for her patience during Vaughn's final months, and best wishes always to her dear granddaughter – Vaughn's young friend – Elayna.

Cremation has taken place under the care of Donald K. Walker Funeral Directors. A celebration of Vaughn's life will be held on Friday, August 22nd, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm in the community hall of the Greek Orthodox Church, 1146 Purcell's Cove Road, Halifax. All are welcome. Burial will follow at 3:15 pm at the Sunrise Interfaith Cemetery in Hatchet Lake. Anyone may attend.

Donations in Vaughn's memory may be made by Interac to fetchadogrescue@gmail.com; the SPCA Colchester Shelter in Truro (spcans.ca);the Canadian Cancer Society; or organization of your choice.