Dr. Edgar Lee Ham, 77, passed away May 10, 2026 in hospice care at his home in Brevard, NC. He had a recent diagnosis of stage 4 melanoma.
Born on July 30, 1948 in Manhattan, NY to the late Georgie and Peter Ham, he began his chiropractic practice in Brevard in 1977. Although he was from the cities of New York and home town Philadelphia, he felt most at home with the people and mountains of Western North Carolina. Dr. Ham carried an abiding gratitude for the people in his care.
Edgar, known to many as Ed, grew up in Rose Valley, PA, graduating from Nether Providence High School in 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy following high school, serving at the Naval Security Group Activity Homestead from 1966 to 1969 at the rate of CT3. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
While stationed in Florida, he met his future wife Luann Dirr, a nursing student at Jackson Memorial Hospital. On July 4, 1970, Edgar and Luann were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Chicago, IL. At the time he was a student at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating cum laude in 1972. Edgar then earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College in 1977. After 38 years serving patients in Brevard, Dr. Ham retired from his chiropractic practice.
In his younger years, Ed had a curiosity and boundless energy that led him on adventurous travels. Once settled into the mountains, Ed was fastidious about taking care of the home and was always eager to work outdoors, usually at the side of Luann, at home, Kanuga gardens, church, and the Sherwood Forest community. Ed loved to be with his family, who will miss him dearly. He was proud of his two children and his four grandchildren. He loved activity, playing tennis and, more recently, pickleball. Dr. Ham delighted in seeing former patients, including many that became close friends. He was active at St. John in the Wilderness, frequently ushering and working in the historic churchyard.
Edgar was preceded in death by his son Robert Carl Ham and Edgar’s brother Peter Gregory Ham. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Luann Dirr Ham; daughter Roshena Ham Bugge of Charlotte, NC, husband Owen Bugge and children Davis and Emery; daughter-in-law Mitsue Takasaki Ham of Oita, Japan, and children Erica and Jonathan; and brother Roger Carlson Ham of Wallingford, PA.
A funeral service is pending.
Many thanks for the love and support of family near and far, the St. John community, neighbors and Four Seasons Hospice. Tribute gifts may be made to St. John in the Wilderness P.O. Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or Four Seasons Foundation 211 N. Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, or your favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent to the Ham family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.