Richard Forrest Hearn, M.D.

OCONOMOWOC/MADISON-Hearn, Richard Forrest, M.D. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 14, 2017, three days after his 83rd birthday. Richard (aka "Doc" or 'Grampa Doc" to nearly everyone) was born and raised in Independence, IA. He attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA earning a B.S. in biology in 1957. After college, he served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and was subsequently admitted to Marquette University Medical School, where he earned his M.D. degree in 1962. After completing his internship at Misericordia Hospital in 1963 and practicing in West Bend, WI for a year, Richard and his young family returned to Milwaukee and St. Joseph's Hospital, where he completed his general and vascular surgery residency and earned his board certification in General Surgery. In 1968, Richard joined the Wilkinson Clinic in Oconomowoc, WI. For the next 20 years, Richard cared for thousands of patients and their families, each and every one receiving not only outstanding medical care, but also experiencing first-hand his profoundly jovial personality and the unassuming and disarming bedside manner for which he was well known. Later in his career, Richard transit...[more]

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ed into emergency medicine, practicing at Lakeland Hospital in Elkhorn, WI. Though he constantly updated and honed his medical knowledge and skills, he somehow managed to use the same corny jokes, but such was his connection with, and devotion to his patients. Particularly during his years in emergency medicine, Richard indulged his love of golf and was a longtime member of the Men's Club at Naga-Waukee War Memorial Golf Course in Delafield. He made many close friends who were as addicted to the game as he was, and traveled all over the state and to other parts of the country in search of sub-par scores. Even though the sub-par part eluded him, he was proud to have shot in the high 70's many times and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoyed every minute on the golf course with his buddies, as they did with him. In the latter part of his career, Richard also developed a keen interest in international travel, signing on as a ship's doctor for Holland America Cruise Lines. He witnessed both extreme wealth and abject poverty in ports of call throughout the world. The contrast strengthened his charitable commitment, increasing his lifelong support of orphans and medical relief organizations. Richard is survived by his former wife, the former Mary Cecelia Motsinger; his children R. Anthony, Daniel (Dawn), Jane Toon (Al), Michael (Michael Sweeten), Paul (Stephanie Bieling), J. Brian; and grandchildren Kiley, Morgan Percevecz (Caleb), Sheridan and Francis Hearn; Nicholas (Annie and baby Toon due in December), Kirby, Molly and Sydney Toon; Katie McDonald Hearn; and R.J. Hearn Sweeten; sister-in-law, Linda Hearn; and many other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Joan; his parents Cy and Alice and his brothers Donald (Ruth) and Douglas. The family will be eternally grateful for the loving care that was provided by both Capitol Lakes and Rosemont care facilities and to David Cook, Esq. A memorial mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2116 Hollister Ave., Madison, WI on Thursday, September 21 at 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the church friary from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Memorials can be made to hearttoheartexperiences.org Cress Center 6021 University Ave. Madison, WI 53705 608-238-8406