Richard M. Hayden

Richard M. Hayden

December 26, 1930 - February 17, 2025

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Obituary

MCFARLAND - Richard M. Hayden died Monday, February 17, 2025, doing what he loved, reading in his solarium. Richard was born on December 26, 1930, in Retreat, WI, to George C. and Mary Ann (Welch) Hayden. He was the youngest of four, Dorothy (Ralph) Herald, Edith (Alvin) Cole, and Henry (Donna) Hayden. Richard married Beatrice Burchell on May 23, 1953, and they enjoyed 71 years of married life. Richard graduated from Vernon County Teachers College, UW-Platteville, and UW-Madison. They each started their teaching careers in one-room schoolhouses. Following his retirement from teaching, he and Bea had a successful real estate career that continued until a few years ago.


Richard and Beatrice enjoyed traveling the world - getting to all seven continents. They were members of the Friendship Force, meeting and hosting many people from various parts of the world. Richard loved to garden and gardened through the summer of 2024. He enjoyed sharing his produce and annually gave away 100+ pumpkins to family, friends, and neighbors. He joined the Commonwealth Lodge in 1959, served as Master in 1973, and was instrumental in establishing the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Madison. They enjoyed participating in the Shared Table in McFarland, playing cards with various groups in Stoughton, Oregon, and McFarland.


He enjoyed hunting and being in the woods, and from his youth, he loved and appreciated nature and conservation. He was one to always stay active. Richard will be remembered for his generosity and outgoing personality.


Richard was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. He especially loved family gatherings when he was surrounded by them. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice; their three children, Daniel (Debra), Richard (Kelly), and Ann (David) Finger; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Laura (Sarina), Matthew (Sasha), Christine, and Michelle (Jake); one great-grandchild, Celeste; and many other nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings.


A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Friday, February 28, 2025. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be held at Walnut Mound Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025.


In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Madison or a charity of your choice.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Events

28
Visitation
Fri Feb 28, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Get Directions
28
Funeral Service
Fri Feb 28, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Get Directions
03
Graveside Service
Mon Mar 3, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM CDT
Walnut Mound Cemetery • County Highway N, De Soto, WI 54624
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alina steica
Other •
I remember Dick and Bea visiting Romania, with the Friendship Force and staying to my parenta house for one week. I remember him also when I visited him in Wisconsin. I will always remeber him for his kindness and the will to visit new places. Condoleances for the family! Alina
NH
Nancy, Geoff, Ed, Jim Herald.
Other •
Uncle Dick, you have been a wonderful uncle . We will remember all the stories and your telling of the history of our family. Rest now. Blessed be.
JK
Jerry and Karen Kleinert
Other •
Dick Hayden was a kind, wonderful person. So thoughtful, always caring for someone. For the years that we’ve known Dick and Bea, We enjoyed our time with them in the friendship group. Our sympathy for Bea and the family.
BR
Betty Ross
Other •
Dick and my husband Howard grew up in the same neighborhood. When Howard and I married I became a part of that group. There were two other couples who were friends. Every New Years Eve we would spend some place together. One Year we flew to Hawaii and spent the new year in a motel on Waikiki beach. With the time change it was difficult staying awake 'til midnight.
JK
Jay Koritzinsky
Other •
Richard and Bea were/are the most wonderful people i had the privilege of knowing. My thoughts are with Bea and the entire family. Jay Koritzinsky
RW
Robert Vernon Hayden Weinberg
Other •
On behalf of myself and the rest of the Helen Hayden Weinberg family, I want to express condolences to the Richard M. Hayden family upon the passing of their loving father and grandfather. Richard, along with his siblings, were very dear to our mother being the closest family members while she grew up in Retreat after the loss of her mother (and Richard’s aunt) Mattie. In our senior years, he and I discussed my mother’s life and his own early life and education. He conveyed to me thoughts and facts that I would not otherwise know, which led me to believe there was a special relationship between them as they grew up. We also discussed the unique situation of my mother and him sharing the same ancestry, being children of sisters and brothers. He was a remarkable person and a great joy to be with at the annual family reunion. I hope that there will be comfort to all in the celebration of a great life.

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