Dr. Douglas George Batty

Dr. Douglas George Batty, 70, passed away in comfort on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, after a several-months’ battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Morton George Batty and June Porter Batty; and by his wife, Cara Orben Hoffert. He is survived by his sister, Morgan Barbara Miller, and her son, Bradley; his sister, Aleta “Lou” Johnson, and her husband, Joe; his son, David Hoffert, and his wife, Aleeza; his son, Beau Batty, and his wife, Jackie; many beloved aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; and the countless patients whose lives he changed through his multi-decade chiropractic practice in Evansville, Wis.  Tribute donations may be made to UNICEF, the World Wildlife Foundation, and the Eager Free Public Library expansion project. A secular memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the COOKSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, 11204 W. State Road 59, Evansville, WI 53536. Appetizers and desserts will be provided after the service.    A few weeks before his death, Doug dictated an obituary to his sons. In characteristic fashion, he said hardly a word about his many life accomplishments, but chose instead to focus on his appreciation for the relationships he had built throughout his life. Here is the full transcription of what he said that night: Dearest family, friends, and patients:I’ve been so privileged to know all of you and so appreciate your caring, your support, and all of the fun times and jokes. To my patients, you are the most special people in the world to me. It’s been such a pleasure trying to help as best as I can. To my high school buddies, you guys have been so much fun, we had so many laughs. We didn’t win too many but we built a lot of character. It was great knowing you guys. I want to pay tribute to the brave doctors in America and in Mexico, who are some of the most humane and compassionate people I’ve ever met, for being there as an alternative. These people have been persecuted, and blocked from doing many of the things they thought were best for the patient. In the future, healthcare hopefully becomes more about the patient. The patient is the most important thing, more than profits, more than convenience. The patient is the most important thing. I’ve had a very good life, thanks to all of you. My memories of all of you are very precious. I’m so lucky to have had the hardest working, most wonderful parents in the world. I knew that they would always support me no matter what. They were a great blessing to me. And my sisters Aleta and Morgan have been just a gift from God. A special thanks to my little sister, "Lou" (Aleta) for helping me through these last days; she’s an angel.  As for my dear sons, Beau and David, and their wives, I couldn’t have been more blessed. They’re smart, wonderful, loving children. Thanks to my late wife, Cara, for bringing my boys into my life. You really helped raise them in so many special ways. I love the photographs you took of the boys when they were growing up. Even though I was annoyed at times with the camera being in the middle of things, we now have a wonderful record of the boys growing up, and I look at those pictures every day. God bless all of you. I just want to give thanks to everybody who made my life what it is. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I like the simple life, the simple pleasures: eating, sleeping, moving. I’m a simple country boy. The love around me, and the land. It’s an eternal presence, the rhythms go on and on through the ages. It’s been a great life.  --Douglas George Batty