Richard Lorenz Hatton, M.D.

He grew up in Maumee, Ohio with his sister, Mary (Daly) and parents. He had a delightful childhood; enjoyed his pet white mice, dog Kelly - a special companion, and serving as a drum major in the band. Following his high school graduation he entered the U.S. Marines for 3 years. He was deployed to the South Pacific. He valued the discipline he learned and was proud of his service to our country.

Upon his return he began his studies at Michigan State College, where he made many lifelong friends, courted his wife Elaine, and became an enthusiastic Spartan sports supporter.

From an early age his goal was to become a physician. He matriculated into the University of Michigan Medical School in 1953. He took a break after his first year to marry Elaine and put her through her senior year at MSU. She reciprocated and taught school to support him through medical school. Their incredible team work continued throughout their 64 years of marriage.

Richard practiced family medicine for 42 years in Okemos. He was truly honored to care for his patients and valued the trust and respect that generations of families placed in him. It was important to him to be the best physician possible for his patients. He attended many post graduate courses to take care of all the ages and stages of his patients. Creating and improving processes to deliver quality care and health education was a high priority. He collaborated with MSU professor Rex Carrow to devise a simple, thorough self-breast exam for women. He added a television studio to his office to create educational videos. His work was recognized by the American Medical Association and the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians.

Richard and Elaine raised 8 children, Alicia (John) Armstrong, Susan Imam, Patty Hatton, Dick (Sue) Hatton, Dacia (Dana) Daigle, Dani (Michael) Bailey, Tim (Jen) Hatton and Jim (Janelle) Hatton. Regular family dinners were a tradition. He embraced and supported their many interests and activities, enjoyed knowing their friends, and loved the growing addition of sons and daughters through marriages. He was an involved grandfather to 22 – Matthew (Kelly), Susan, Andrew, William, Jacob, Michael, Billy, Lainey, Rick, Jack, Ellie, Anna, J.T., Chad, Kris, Trent, Grant, Thomas, Heidi, Hudson, Julia and Jameson; two great-grandchildren, Owen and Blair. He always made time to chat and was known for his “Grandpa letters”. One of his greatest joys was seeing his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren together. His love and legacy will live on through all the people that he touched.

Our family is deeply thankful to Shaniqua Culpepper, Tracy Rembert, Paul Perrin and Dr. Mark Ensberg for their exceptional care and friendship.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Hani Imam.

Please join our family for Mass and a celebration of Richard’s life on Wednesday, April 11th, at 10:00 a.m., at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing. The family will greet friends at 9:30 a.m. for visitation.

Memorial donations may be made in Dr. Hatton’s honor to the Harrison Mammography Endowment, online at www.sparrowfoundation.org/give or mailed to the Sparrow Foundation, 1322 E Michigan Ave. Ste 204, Lansing, MI 48912.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.greastlansing.com.