ZETTLER, Richard L. M.D.

Age 96, a long-time family physician in Hamilton-Fairfield, died Thursday, January 14,

after a brief illness.

Dr. Zettler was born at Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, on June 8, 1924, the son of George A. and Kathryn M. (Nieberlein) Zettler. He was educated at St. Peter-in-Chains grade school and graduated from Hamilton Catholic High School in 1942. He attended Xavier University, majoring in Chemistry and graduating in 1946, and St. Louis University's School of

Medicine, earning his M.D. in 1948.

He married Dorothy M. Alston on October 2, 1948, in St. Ann's Church in Hamilton. They were married for 65 years until

Dorothy's death in 2013.

Dr. Zettler served as a physician in the Air Force from 1948 to 1951. Following his honorable discharge he opened a Family Medical practice in Lindenwold. Dr. Zettler was devoted to his patients, usually making hospital rounds in the morning

before holding office hours afternoons and evenings. He

practiced family medicine for nearly 60 years.

On staff of both Mercy and Fort Hamilton Hospitals, he served as Chief of Staff at Mercy in 1958 and Chief of Staff at Fort Hamilton in 1964. He was an active member of the local

Hamilton Academy of Medicine and the Butler County

Medical Society and served terms as president of both organizations. He was a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, as well as the American Medical Association. He was named a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice in 1972 and was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice in the same year.

Dr. Zettler had a lifelong involvement with Mercy Hospital. He was the first layman to sit on the Mercy Board of Trustees and played a key role in the development and construction of Mercy South in Fairfield.

After his family and medicine, Dr Zettler's one love was golf. It started when he caddied at Potter's Park in the 1930's and he was on the course 2 or 3 days a week up until his 90's, and not just in the summer – "no snow, we can play!" He was a lifetime member of the Elks, loved playing there and for many years he "sponsored' hole 16 (White #7) with his name on the tee marker.

Dr. Zettler is survived by his five children, Richard L. Zettler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Robert A. (Charlene) Zettler of Chicago, Illinois, William J. (Deborah) Zettler and Janet M. (Don) Wolf, both of Hamilton and, Carol Ann (Randy) Hoelle of King's Mills, Ohio; thirteen grandchildren, Natalie (Jon) Leisinger, Andrea (Rory) McIntyre, Christa (Bill) Black, Matt (Angie) Zettler, Nate (Stephanie) Zettler, Rick (Jen) Wolf, Tim (Anne) Wolf, Alan Wolf, Abby (Ryan) Ellis, Adair (Jacopo) Sopradassi, Casey, Delaney and Camryn Holle; and 18 great grandchildren, Clare, Mallory, Owen and Frances Leisinger, Ginny McIntyre, Will, Ella, and Aubrey Black, John, Owen, Nora, Isla, Madison, and Miley Wolf, and Libby, Zack, Nolan, and Tatum Zettler

He was preceded in death by his mother in 1970, father in 1983, his only brother, James R. Zettler, in 2019, his sister-in-law, Marian Zettler in 2011, and wife, Dorothy, in 2013.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am Tuesday in St. Ann Church followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be private. Memorials are suggested to St. Ann church or the Butler County Medical Society. Online register book available at

www.zettlerfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal-News on Jan. 17, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard ZETTLER

6 Entries

Kevin Skipper

July 11, 2021

Dr. Settler was my childhood physician. Although 55 years have passed since I was his patient, I remember him for his kindness, gentle bedside manner, and professionalism. I wish that I had a doctor like him now.

Nancy “Tootsie” Ledford Bach

January 22, 2021

Dr Zettler was my family doctor from infancy to adulthood when as a new bride I moved out of town.
He was the one who change my name when he gave the nickname Tootsie. When my mother took me in for a pediatric checkup he asked Mom “How’s our little Tootsie doing?” It stuck. I am now 65 years old and my sisters still call me Toots, my nephews and nieces call me Aunt Tootsie.
He found a heart birth defect in my father in 1956 and Dad to have open heart surgery at 17 years old.
Dr Zettler was a big part of the Ledford family lives.
Prayers for comfort and peace for his family

Beth Munafo

January 18, 2021

To the family, may God bring you peace and comfort during this time of sorrow of the Lost of your loved one and know that they are in the Kingdom of Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ . Deepest condolences from Beth Schlabach,Munafo

Michele Boehle

January 17, 2021

Dr Zettler was an awesome man and physician ...he will be missed by all

Eileen Kaplan

January 17, 2021

Weren’t we lucky that “Dr. Dick, “ (as we younger cousins respectfully called him until we became adults ) he was part of our lives! His passing marks the end of an era, for sure, as oldest of our generation of cousins
I / we will hold many happy memories of his big laugh, enduring love for his lively bride, the undertaker/doctor “shticks” with his equally handsome big brother Jim, etc., etc. and his generosity of giving his time and expertise as a family physician. He saved the lives (including my husband Frank’s, by his quick diagnosis and friendship with the surgeon who delayed his vacation for his emergency surgery) and extended good years for many, including most of our parents. He was always a compassionate companion through life’s final journeys.

This is a lovely obituary. So glad you mentioned his love for golf; presumably the Elks will continue “his” in perpetuity.

I also share your sense of loss, but know he will always be with each of you. You, Kids, Grandkids and even Greatgrandkids were such a joy to him — he amazed me by always remembering each of you individually and proudly, when I would see him in these later years.
Love and condolences on the passing of this fine, good man,
Uncle Jerry and Aunt Alice’s (Mary) Eileen

Mark S. Cox

January 17, 2021

This good man delivered me into the world in 1958. He was the one that my mom turned to for advice on the array of childhood maladies, fevers, cuts, coughs, and bruises. Always the calming presence in the room as soon as he entered. Old school, best school. The yardstick by which I have measured every doctor in my adult life. None have ever come close to you, Dr. Zettler. Thank you for your kindness and compassion over such a remarkable career and life. You will never be forgotten. My sympathies to the family.

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