Richard Lawrence Hatfield

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, Richard Lawrence Hatfield passed away peacefully at his home in Columbia, Maryland surrounded by his wife Joan and two sons, Thomas Joseph Hatfield and Peter Gregory Hatfield.

Born January 5, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, Richard is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Lawrence Hatfield and Margaret Mary Wendelin. Completing his B.S. in Physics from Villanova University in 1972, he then earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Cincinnati. During that time in Cincinnati, he met and married his wife of 47 years, Joan. He later completed additional studies at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University.

Richard built a distinguished career as a computer scientist and systems engineer with Computer Systems Corporation, Raytheon, and Cyron. Holding security clearances, the specifics of his work remain obscure, as he preferred it.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Richard was a man of quiet discipline and deep personal joy. An avid marathon runner, he completed 16 full marathons and hundreds of shorter races. Later, he embraced recreational cycling with equal enthusiasm, riding in RAGBRAI (the celebrated 400–500-mile ride across Iowa with 18,000 participants) in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2017.

Richard's humility was legendary; despite a lifetime of impressive personal achievements, there was never any evidence of him bragging directly about his own achievement. The relationships, community, humor, and camaraderie he found in running and cycling were his greatest joy. These bonds, and the laughter that accompanied them, were among his life’s most treasured rewards.

Richard is survived by his wife Joan Holthaus Hatfield; his son, Thomas Joseph Hatfield and his wife Sarah Hatfield (Closson); his son Peter Gregory Hatfield and his wife Tara Hatfield (Rehar) and his six cherished grandchildren, Charlotte Blake Hatfield, Brooks Joseph Hatfield, Olivia James Hatfield, Owen Mirko Hatfield, Adaleigh Marie Hatfield, and Victoria Helena Hatfield. Also his loving sisters, Kathy Williams and Anita Oliver and their husbands and children, George Williams (husband), John Williams and Jennifer Levy and Steve Oliver (husband), Chris Oliver, Heather Giotis (Oliver), and Sean Oliver.

Richard passed his athletic gifts on to his two sons, introducing them to soccer and supporting their involvement in competitive travel-level sports.

Yet for all his pursuits and passions, perhaps his favorite setting in the world was the simplest of all—sitting on the beach with a book in hand, made perfect with his wife Joan beside him.

He leaves behind a legacy of curiosity, kindness, humility, and quiet strength—a man who showed his love through his deeds, kindness and humor.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Richard’s honor to support Free Bikes for Kid’s of Maryland. https://fb4kmaryland.org/donate/

A receiving of friends for Richard will be held Monday, May 12, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045, followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:30 PM.

Please join the family and “Raise a Glass for Rick", at the reception at Frisco-Columbia, 8895 McGaw Rd Suite 1, Columbia, MD 21045, on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM.