David S. Hathaway M.D.

Hathaway MD, David S.

David Samuel Hathaway, MD, 81, of Waupaca, Wisconsin died quickly and without pain at his home on December 15, 2016. Dad/Dave/David lived a rich and wonderful life. David dedicated himself to three things: caring and providing for his family, nurturing the well-being of his patients and friends, and reveling in the affection of his English Springer Spaniels (currently, Happy, Val and Tina).

David was born in Superior, Wisconsin on September 22, 1935, to George J. and Letitia E. Hathaway. He was the younger brother of Robert G. (Patricia, deceased) Hathaway, MD (Conroe, TX) and Walter R. (Sandra) Hathaway, MD (deceased; Beaumont, TX). David graduated from Waupaca High School, Lawrence University, the University of Edinburgh (on a Fulbright Fellowship), and Baylor University-College of Medicine, earning high academic honors throughout his studies. After completing a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, David first worked for the Public Health Service and then practiced medicine as an Internist, primarily in Neenah, Wisconsin, for 30 years. David was a devoted physician, first and foremost, and cared well and deeply for his patients. In addition, he also held a number of leadership positions in the Riverside/Nicolet/LaSalle Clinic and in the National Kidney Foundation. He was proud to have established one of the first kidney dialysis centers in central Wisconsin and was grateful for the nurses and patients he worked with there. In 1995, he retired and returned to his hometown of Waupaca and, for several years, co-taught a medical ethics class at Lawrence University, an institution which he credits for significantly shaping his aspirations and accomplishments. He was active in numerous organizations in Waupaca--most notably, Winchester Academy, Waupaca Rotary Breakfast Club and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where he found a community of like-minded spiritual seekers and friends.

David met his spouse, soulmate and intellectual superior, Lenna M. (Remmel) Hathaway, also of Waupaca (deceased 12/21/2005) in eighth grade. The two married on December 29, 1960 and had three children: George J. Hathaway, DDS; William R. (Sharon) Hathaway, MD; and Heather A. (Jay Johnson) Hathaway, PhD. David and Lenna were also blessed with six kind and caring grandchildren: Sarah, Meghan and Will Hathaway (Asheville, NC), Hannah and Sophie Hathaway (Dale, WI), and David John Hathaway Rothfels (Milwaukee, WI).

After Lenna died in 2005, David met another love, Mary Ellen (Danielsen) Boario, with whom he enjoyed laughing, socializing and traveling the Chain-O-Lakes for the last decade of his life. Please keep Mary Ellen, her siblings, and her children in your thoughts and prayers.

David is further survived by four nieces and nephews, a brother-in-law, Fr. Bill Remmel, S.D.S. (Tuscon, AZ); and a cousin, Tom Ziebell (Appleton, WI). He will also be dearly missed by Nigel Rothfels (Milwaukee, WI); Steven (Amy) Reilly (Neenah, WI); and life-long best friend, Charles (Chuck) Merry (Appleton, WI).

A Celebration of David's Life will be on Wednesday, December 21 at 11 AM at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Visitation will be on Wednesday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the funeral home. David will be laid to rest next to his wife, Lenna at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in David's honor to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Winchester Academy, Waupaca or to the National Kidney Foundation.