Name: Visitation for Ralph Eugene Hatcher
Start: 2019-09-20T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-09-21T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Flanner Buchanan Funeral Center - Oaklawn Memorial Gardens

Ralph Eugene Hatcher, 70, affectionately called "Doc" by his family and friends, passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2019.

A native of Springfield, Ill., Ralph was a senior company medic in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division before attending Blackburn College and DePauw University, graduating with high honors.

He married his "red-headed girl next door," Sue Lex, in 1976.

Ralph completed his medical studies at SIU School of Medicine in 1980 and started his own rural general practice in Ursa, Ill., in 1983.

Ralph and his family moved to Indianapolis in 1995, where he settled into to his career of emergency medicine. He served as director of Boone County EMS through Witham Health Services until 2010. In 1997, he joined the Butler University faculty as an adjunct professor of anatomy and pathophysiology.

Ralph was known by his peers for his love of aviation and of German sport cars. He had a passion for his religion and for history and politics, and would discuss these topics at great length with anyone who would listen. He loved music, most notably the Beatles and Beethoven. He read with fervor and was an avid teacher until the day he died. He was a charter member of his church, Eastside Community Baptist Church, and could be found there every Sunday teaching Bible studies and religious history.

Ralph received a heart transplant in 1998, and we, his family, hold his donor family (names withheld) close to our hearts at this time.

Ralph was a son to Ralph Leroy and Anna Mae Hatcher. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Hatcher.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Sue (nee Lex); sons, Wesley (Camille) and Thomas; daughters, Catherine (Adam) and Colleen (Justin); grandchildren, Tyler, Patrick, Juliette, Leo, Teagan, William, Genevieve, Annemarie, Hannah, Tatum, Rafe, Dominic, Eve and Penelope; brothers, Randall, Rex, Roger and Ragan; sister, Lisa; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Interment will be Monday, Sept. 23, at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Ind.

Memorial donations may be made to Eastside Community Baptist Church, 438 Wallace Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46201.

Condolences may be expressed online at flannerbuchanan.com. and whig.com.

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

Published by Herald-Whig from Sep. 19 to Sep. 21, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Hatcher

Sponsored by Flanner Buchanan Funeral Center - Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

8 Entries

Jennifer Kadel

October 8, 2019

I had the absolute pleasure of getting to meet and take care of Doc Hatcher during a couple of hospital stays. He made such an impression on me and he will truly be missed! I loved hearing his stories, meet his wife and family, as well as his dog. He will always be one of my most favorite patients! I am very sorry for your loss! Rest Well Doc and thank you for great memories!!

September 26, 2019

I remember sitting next to Ralph in Sacred Heart elementary school. One day he was picked up from school by his older brother on a motorcycle. Ralph was so excited that when he jumped on the back of the seat he fell off and had to jump back on the cycle quickly because his brother yelled back to Ralph, "Hurry up, I ain't waitin' for ya!"

Mary Kay Macri

September 24, 2019

I was Dr. Hatcher's homecare PT after his heart transplant and I very much enjoyed working with him...HE taught ME a lot! He was a great man and I am thankful I had the opportunity to know him even just a short time. There has always been a special place in my heart for him. I know all of you will miss him terribly; my prayers are with you at this sad time. Mary Kay Macri

Jill and Mark

September 21, 2019

We are so sorry to hear of Dr. Hatcher's passing. While in Ursa, he was a wonderful pediatrician for our sons. One Saturday evening, we picked him up on the way to the office so he could stitch up a cut. He was missed when he left the area.

Lisa Rohrer

September 19, 2019

"Your family is a circle of strength and love. With every birth and union, it grows. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger. "
-author unknown

Ralph and Sue, you are wonderful examples of what strong families can accomplish.
Peace, Grace and Faith be with you all as you circle together to celebrate noble, strong, intelligent, generous , and jolly DOC. He will be greatly missed.
Love to all,
The Rohrer Family

Tina Vawter

September 19, 2019

So very sorry to learn of Ralph's passing. Although I only got to work with him for a short time at Butler before he retired, I admired him and his sense of humor, and thank his heart donor (and family) for giving him the gift of life a little bit longer .

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Fred Stillwagon

September 19, 2019

Sue, We are so sorry to hear of Ralphs passing. Our family's grew up virtually next door to the Hatcher family in Springfield and have many fond memories of our childhood . I'm here to tell you our lives were in constant flux :) with seldom a dull moment in those days. Sue, you and your family have our deepest condolences and prayers.
You did well Dr. Ralph Hatcher!

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