Dr. Richard James Botham

MIDDLETON-Dr. Richard James Botham, age 84, of Middleton and Bradenton, Florida, passed away on November 18, 2010 at the Madison HospiceCare Center. He was born on January 1, 1926, in Madison, the son of Richard George and Catherine Hooper Botham. He married Margaret Mary Boland on July 15, 1972.Richard attended Lancaster High before graduating from West High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46. He played Varsity football, boxed and ran track at the UW before graduating from the UW Medical School in 1952.He earned a Masters of Surgery at the University of Minnesota in 1957; completed his general surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in 1957; and completed his cardio-thoracic residency at the University of Wisconsin in 1959. Richard worked as a cardiovascular, thoracic and general surgeon at the Dean Clinic and on staff at St. Mary\'s Hospital for thirty-five years. At St. Mary\'s Hospital Richard served as Vice-Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff, and a member of the Development Council. Richard served as the President of the Dean Clinic for four years; and as Dean\'s first Physician Outreach Coordinator for five years. His charisma, strength of personality, charm and relationships with referring physicians were the building blocks for the Dean/St. Mary\'s referral network and Dean\'s specialty outreach program. His skills as a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon were renowned. Richard took great delight in teaching residents as a Clinical Professor of Surgery for the UW Medical School. Richard co-chaired the $10 million campaign to build the first Madison HospiceCare Center. He was a member of the Hospice Foundation Board for six years. Richard acquired land in Barneveld, where he ran Trademark Farms, a large beef-breeder operation; co-founded, developed, and co-owned Botham Vineyards; planted over 1000 trees and preserved almost 900 acres with The Nature Conservancy. Richard loved to watch birds, work with plants and flowers, watch football, spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and care for others. He was a beautiful care-giver, talented surgeon, loving husband, dedicated father, son and brother, and loyal friend. Richard is survived by his wife, Maggie; their daughter Kate (Andy) Hilton; his children with his first-wife, Mary Bruce; Michael (Deborah), Mark, Elizabeth (Fred) Siegele, Peter (Sarah), Christina (Gunnar)Salumaa, his siblings, Catherine (Williard) Hagstom, Barbara (Douglas) Witzeling, and Marjorie (James) Upthagrove; and his grandchildren, Sarah and Zachary (Michael), Bradley, Robert and Juliann (Mark), Mills (Peter) and Mira (Liz). A visitation with his family will be held from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at the Ellen and Peter Johnson Hospice Care Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 Am on Monday, November 22, 2010 at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard\'s honor may be made to HospiceCare, Inc. or St. Mary\'s Foundation. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard\'s honor may be made to HospiceCare, Inc. or St. Mary\'s Foundation. Visitation: A visitation with his family will be held from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at the Ellen and Peter Johnson Hospice Care Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 Am on Monday, November 22, 2010 at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison