With profound devastation, we share the terrible news that our dear friend and former United Way Board Chair, Bud Hammer, passed away suddenly on Monday.  

Bud joined the United Way of Westchester and Putnam Board in 2018 after being the honoree for our annual golf outing in 2017. He was co-chair of the resource development and golf committees before serving as the Board Chairman from 2020 to 2022.

Bud was the president and general manager of Atlantic Westchester, Inc., an award-winning commercial and industrial HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) business in Bedford Hills, NY.

When COVID-19 caused New York State to pause, Bud had his team ready to give back. The Atlantic Westchester staff, including Bud, helped United Way with its Emergency Food Distribution in Putnam County and our Heroes and Homebound Hot Meals Delivery Program.

Bud will be remembered as the consummate cheerleader, always focused on lifting others up and helping them be the best version of themselves. His sense of humor and positive attitude was infectious, and his leadership as Board Chair helped us achieve many great things as an organization. But most importantly, Bud was a good man, and he will be missed terribly by everyone that knew him. The United Way family and our entire community are worse off today due to his passing.  

He is survived by his wife and business partner, Lisa.