The Rev. Robert L. (Bob) Hammett of East Chop and Manchester-by-the Sea, died June 1 after a brief illness, surrounded by family. He was 92.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 29, 1929, to John Reynolds Hammett and Margaret Mahin Hammett, Bob grew up on Long Island and graduated from Garden City High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from Wesleyan College in 1951, and his master’s of divinity from Virginia Seminary in 1954. Following his ordination, he moved to Darien, Conn., and took a post as assistant rector at St. Luke’s Parish.

In 1956, he met Sally Vickery, one of the parishioners, and they were married in September 1957. The following year he became rector of Christ Church in Sharon, Conn.

In Sharon, Bob and Sally made many lifelong friends. Bob answered the bishop’s call to become involved with the civil rights movement. He set up a local group, which culminated in the march on Washington, D.C. with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and hearing his I Have a Dream speech.

During this time, Bob and Sally welcomed their first two children, Rob and Lee.

In 1962, they decided to buy a house in Oak Bluffs as a place to put down summer roots. Located on East Chop, the house overlooked the Sound and was a place of many memories for three generations of Hammetts. Sitting on the porch reading was one of Bob’s favorite pastimes. He also enjoyed a good game of chess with his grandchildren, and could often be found with a paintbrush and easel, painting the lighthouse and many other familiar island scenes.

His art could always be found at the annual Summer Art Show at the Tabernacle.

In 1966 he took a job at the Emma Willard School where he taught religion and served as the school chaplain. He and Sally welcomed their third child, Whitney. While at Emma Willard, Bob traveled to England on a Mellon grant studying early childhood education, and subsequently was instrumental in the creation of the Emma Willard Children’s School in 1972. He was director of the preschool, with a kindergarten added in 1973. Many more lifelong friends, faculty and students came into his life during this time.

In 1975, he took over as rector at St. George’s Episcopal Church, in Middlebury, Conn. After that, he and Sally and family moved to Needham. He served as rector of St. John’s Parish in Newtonville from 1981 to 1993.

Bob and Sally loved to travel and did a few parish exchanges, spending time in England preaching and touring. They also enjoyed visiting Europe and Israel with friends from their Sharon days. They celebrated New Year’s Eve on Cape Cod with the same group of wonderful friends every year.

They moved to the Vineyard year-round in 1994, after Bob’s retirement. He stayed busy helping out with his granddaughter Rilla, and later became involved with Havenside Corporation, an affordable living complex for Island seniors. He served as president of the board and was honored with a building named after him.

In the 1990s, he was involved with the project to build a new library in Vineyard Haven.

In their later years, Bob and Sally moved off-Island to be closer to son Whitney and his family in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Bob’s spirituality touched many lives. Deeply thoughtful, kind and unconditionally accepting, his peaceful demeanor enabled those in need to come to him for help, which so many did.

He is survived by his three children and their families: Robert and Deborah Hammett and daughters Rilla and Emily; Lee Hammett Peterson and her two children Douglas Peterson and Sarah Anstett and grandchild, Gretchen Anstett; and Whitney and Allison Hammett and sons Noah, Eli and Walker; niece Polly Davis and nephew Tim Davis. He was predeceased by his brother John Reynolds Hammett, and his loving wife of 63 years, Sarah Vickery Hammett.

A family service is planned for this summer; a larger East Chop celebration will follow at some point.

Donations can be sent to Havenside Corporation, 145 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568; or Saint John’s Parish, 297 Lowell Avenue, Newton, MA 02460.