DECEMBER 11, 1944 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2022
Richard Charles Hathaway, 77 of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Thursday September 1, 2022, at his residence. Richard was born December 11, 1944, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Ralph and Mary (Darcy) Hathaway.
Richard spent most of his career working in transportation and logistics, where he produced dozens of patented inventions; he was a combat veteran who served the U.S. Army honorably in Vietnam—and was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action; he also worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and led the family business for a period. He was a graduate of Greenville Senior High School (Class of 1962) and briefly attended The Ohio State University.
Richard was a total baseball nut, hitting guru, teacher to many young ball players, and loyal fan of the Cincinnati Reds; he also loved The Ohio State Buckeyes, who he cheered until his final days; he deeply enjoyed being in nature, especially the sea, and had an expert knowledge and affinity for birds; he was an avid lover of classical music and the symphony, which he instilled into his children; he spent most of his life in Ohio, but was proud of his Rhode Island and Irish heritage.
Above all, Richard connected to many different types of people; he loved his family and friends deeply, and in the end, that’s the only thing that really mattered; he was a generous man who acted with integrity, who looked after those who needed help, and who took joy in seeing others do well; he will be deeply missed.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents; his brother Timothy Hathaway; and a number of dear friends and colleagues.
Richard is survived by his children: Charisa Hathaway and Ryan Hathaway, both of San Luis Obispo, California, Ian (Suzanne) Hathaway of Santa Barbara, California, and Kaci (Michael) Lariccio of Manorville, New York; his grandchildren: Sytara Goldsmith, Ananda and River Hathaway, and Theodore “Teddy” and Charles “Charlie” Hathaway; his siblings: Ralph “Bud” Hathaway, Kenneth (Janet) Hathaway, Janet (James) Johnson, Thomas Hathaway, and Carolyn (Kirby) Lyons; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.
The family will receive friends on Sunday September 11, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at The Coffee Pot, Greenville, Ohio; a celebration of life service will be held immediately after from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will be no burial as Richard will be cremated. Memorial contributions can be made in Richard’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/).
Please share any fond memories, photographs, or expressions of sympathy at baseball.richard.1944@gmail.com for the Hathaway family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville.