In Memorium: Dr. Richard Edward Hunter

Richard Hunter passed away on October 11, 2022, at the age of 103. Those who knew him were lucky. His patients and colleagues were luckier still.

Dr. Hunter was the inaugural department chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMass Chan Medical School. He was particu-larly well suited for this position, having come from private practice and knowing virtually all who were in the practice of his specialty in the community. He initially practiced general OB-GYN later subspecializing in GYN Oncology. From the start, the new department was designed to harmonize with the community. Perinatology services delivered at UMass Memorial Medical Center and subspecialty GYN services at UMass Memorial’s University campus were designed to complement what was already being delivered at community hospitals. He created an atmosphere of collaboration and built a department designed to help practitioners in the community keep up with changes in the specialty.

Dr. Hunter earned his undergraduate degree from Clark Univer- sity in Biology and Chemistry and his medical degree from Boston University. He served a rotating internship at Worcester City Hospital and Residencies at Fort George Meade Hospital (OB/GYN), Framingham Union Hospital (General Surgery), and Mercy Hospital, Baltimore (OB/ GYN). He was a member of the American board of OB/GYN and a Diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners.

He married his sweetheart, Eleanor Harrington Hunter in 1944 (widowed in 1991). He enjoyed being Dad to their 4 children, Todd Hunter (spouse Julianne Spitz), Elayne Hunter (David Johnson), Jill Keil (Nicholas) and Amy Brown (Douglas). He leaves nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In 1993, he became a loving and dedicated husband to M. Minta Cowan (Shaw), who predeceased him in 2006.

In addition to the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the Worcester District, Dr. Hunter was an active member in the following societies: Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, New England Cancer Society, New England OB/GYN Society, Boston Obstetrical Society, New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Royal Society of Medicine, International Gynecologic Cancer Society, and American Society of Clinical Oncologists.

Calm and affable, his leadership and clinical skill were responsible for building careers as well as a department all while delivering excellent care to thousands of patients. +

B. Dale Magee, MD