Julie Sowerwine is best known as the longtime wife of sports editor Bob Hammel, whom she married on June 22, 1958, in Huntington, Indiana.
Bob Dale “Bob” Hammel was a legendary sports editor and journalist, best known for his decades-long tenure at the Bloomington Herald-Times.
Born in Huntington, Indiana, in 1936, Hammel began his journalism career at just 17 years old.
He covered over 1,000 Indiana University football and basketball games, including five Olympic Games, 23 NCAA Final Fours, and all three of Bob Knight’s national titles.
Tragically, he passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, July 20, 2025, at the age of 88, leaving behind his wife, children, and the whole community.
It is reported that he had entered hospice care earlier this year.
His passing left a void in his family and the Bloomington community, where he spent over four decades shaping the sports pages of the Herald-Times.
One of Bob Hammel’s longtime friends fondly remembered him by saying:
My old buddy Bob Hammel has passed away. I ate lunch with him when I was at Cook Medical. He had a never ending supply of Bob Knight stories. RIP Bob.
Bob Hammel And His Wife, Julie, Were Together For Over Six Decades!
Born in 1937, in Huntington, Bob Hammel married Julie Sowerwine on June 22, 1958, in Huntington, Indiana.
The couple met in their hometown of Huntington, Indiana, likely during their teenage years in the early 1950s.
They married on June 22, 1958, in Huntington, just as Bob was beginning his career in journalism.
Together, they had two children: Richard Hammel and Jane Priest, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His son, Richard, is a physician based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jane is an elementary school teacher in Bloomington, Indiana.
While Julie remains reserved about her family life and personal life, it is known that she was affectionately referred to as “Sweet Julie” in many of Hammel’s post-retirement columns.
While she rarely appeared in public interviews or professional spotlights, her support was the kind that shaped Bob’s career from behind the scenes.
Both she and Bob were known to be socially connected within Bloomington circles, occasionally seen with notable figures.
Once, Julie joined Bob and basketball legend Bob Knight on dinner outings several years ago.
Similarly, the couple was actively involved in community work, including support for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank and the Bloomington Book Fair.
Following the passing of Bob Hammel, it is likely that Julie Sowerwine Hammel is mourning his loss privately, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and extended family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Hammel co-authored “Knight: My Story” with Bob Knight and penned 14 books.
- He was honored with the Curt Gowdy Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
