Ulrich Theodore Hammer was born in Maple Creek Saskatchewan on 25 March 1924. He attended the University of Saskatchewan, receiving a B.Ed. in 1950 and a B.A. (Biology) in 1956. From 1946 to 1958, Dr. Hammer taught public and high schools in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In 1959 he completed a M.S. from Montana State University. He returned to the University of Saskatchewan, completing a PhD in 1963 under D.S. Rawson and T.J. Arnason. He was appointed Instructor at the U of S in 1961 and rose through the ranks to become full professor in 1972. He served as Biology Department Head from 1973 to 1976. Dr. Hammer retired in 1991 and was named Professor Emeritus.