SOUTHPORT — Harvey Hatchfield, 94, passed away peacefully Monday, April 10, 2017, after a very brief illness. Judith Hatchfield, his bride of 69 years, also passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, April 14, 2017.
They are survived by their children, Bradley, Pamela and Gregory; Harvey’s sister, Judith, of Fort Lee, N.J.; and their grandchild, H. Perry Tunick Hatchfield.
Harvey was 30-year director of anesthesiology and chairman emeritus, Hackensack Medical Center, N.J., clinical assistant professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and director of anesthesiology, Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, N.Y. He was past president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II as first lieutenant with the 342nd Infantry Regiment of the 86th Blackhawk Division in the Philippines and then Japan. He was later promoted to captain as assistant chief of preventive medicine for Armed Forces Western Pacific. He became a chevalier of gastronomy, and was so proud of the 80+ patch he earned for skiing into his 80’s. Golfing into his 90’s, he proudly recounted winning tournaments – for being the only one in his age group.
Judith, 92 years old, was a schoolteacher like her mom. She played classical piano and the guitar, sang on the radio, was an avid collector of antiques, and was a devoted wife, homemaker and mother. Her elegant dinner parties were legendary. Engaged just before dad’s departure overseas, they married in 1948. They built a beautiful home in Englewood, N.J., and spent many happy hours at ‘the farm’ in Gilboa, N.Y. They loved tennis, skiing, travel, cooking, their dogs Gina, Twiggy, Brit and Shadow, and were proud members of the Sargent Society at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
They retired to St. James Plantation, Southport, and two years ago were founding residents at Cambridge Village in Wilmington. Both of these communities provided them with wonderful friends, good fun and great kindness and support over these last years.
Harvey and Judy were inseparable, both in life and now in death. At their request, there will be no service. Please send donations to the American Cancer Society or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Wilmington.