Richard Makoto Hirata

Richard “Dick” Makoto Hirata, 88, of Gaithersburg, MD died peacefully at home on May 29, 2024. He led a life nurtured by family, friendship, and faith, guided by the motto of “Duty, Honor, Country,” the Hippocratic Oath and the teachings of the Gospels. He was a valued teacher who himself took joy in learning from family and friends throughout his life.

Richard was born November 17, 1935, the oldest of eight children of Hawaii natives Hajime and Yukie (Tamori) Hirata. Lahaina, Maui was then an agricultural community, growing sugar and pineapple. The beaches were his playground. Teachers, Boy Scouts and the Methodist Church opened the world beyond Maui’s shores for him. He graduated from Lahainaluna High School in 1953.

Dick received his appointment to West Point, the United States Military Academy from Hawaii’s Delegate to Congress, Joseph R. Farrington in 1953, while a freshman at MIT. He graduated in 1958 and was commissioned as 2LT in the Corps of Engineers. Over the next year, he successfully completed Airborne School and Ranger training.

He and his wife Kathleen married in 1959 and he served an assignment with the 65th Engineer Bn, Schofield Barracks HI. Disappointed that his West Point training was not being utilized, he returned to an earlier ambition, medicine. Encouraged by other WP graduates, he sought admission to and was admitted to Cornell University Medical College, on completion of basic requirements, graduating in 1965. He completed internship and General Surgery residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). In 1970, he served as CO and surgeon at the 43rd Surgical Hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea. Returning to WRAMC, he completed a fellowship in Head and Neck surgery.

A move to Fitzsimons AMC was enjoyed with his family of four children, as he served as Assistant Chief and Chief of General Surgery Service and Head & Neck Surgery for six years. He continued in these roles upon his return to WRAMC in 1978. These years, as surgeon, teacher and chief were rewarding and enjoyable years for him.

After 23 years of military service, Dick retired from the Army in 1981, entering into private practice with Darrell A. Jaques M.D. near Baltimore, MD. As the practice grew to include John A. Saunders M.D. and aligned with The Milton J. Dance Head & Neck Center at GBMC, it practiced developing, specialized and compassionate care for their patients. He also served the communities of caregivers and patients in his roles as president of the Baltimore County Medical Association and as a member of the Maryland Board of Physicians. In 2004 he retired from surgery and continued seeing patients at the Center until 2011.

During these years, Dick enjoyed time with his family and remained active in his church. His service continued through several church mission trips with Towson and Hiss United Methodist churches to Bolivia and Central American countries. The Sunshine Girls of his home church, Timonium UMC, provided handmade dolls for the children. His appointment to the Baltimore Washington Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, as a lay person, provided another opportunity for his spiritual growth. Dick and Kathy moved to Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg MD in 2015, where they have enjoyed new community and friends.

He is survived by his wife, their four children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren. The family invites you to share a story about Dick, in this space or with someone you know. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11am in the Guild Chapel at Asbury Methodist Village - 301 Odendhal Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD.