Richard Ray Hazen

Richard Ray (Dick) Hazen was born on August 26, 1925 in Zanesville, Ohio to William Ray Hazen and Mary Ellen Drumm Hazen. He was the youngest, with sisters Virginia and Ginnie (Bright) Hazen. His mother died unexpectedly of spinal meningitis when he was only nine years old and his father married Dora several years later. His family moved about during his childhood years, living in Zanesville, Chillicothe, Springfield, and Dayton, making many friends along the way.

Dick entered the Navy in 1943 at the age of 19. After boot camp, he attended a year of school at NTS Great Lakes in Chicago where he was trained on the new technology of RADAR. He served aboard LST 570 in the South Pacific. When talking about his service, Dick told interesting and entertaining stories. Later in life during private moments with his son, he admitted that he witnessed some tragic events, but that he chose not to dwell on them.

After the war, Dick used the GI Bill to attend college, studying Electrical Engineering. He later received his Master’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati.

He met Patricia Jones and they married in November of 1950. His son, Rick, was born on their fifth wedding anniversary in 1955 and Lisa was adopted ten years later.

Dick worked at the University of Dayton Research Institute and went on to become a full professor and Chairman of the Electronic Engineering Technology department.

He and Pat had a wonderful marriage and shared many adventures together until her death in 1993. In December 1994, he married longtime family friend Evelyn Hamrick, adding daughters Karen, Kim, and Kristin to his family. He and Lyn volunteered at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska and were also involved in their local church in Columbus. They enjoyed spending time with family and visiting their cabin in the mountains of West Virginia.

Dick will be remembered as a supportive father and grandfather, a great and true friend, and a man with a strong sense of faith and duty. He was kind and generous, an intelligent and interesting man. He was loved very much and will be deeply missed.

He was proceeded in death by his first wife Patricia Jones Hazen, second wife Evelyn Hamrick Hazen, and daughter Lisa Hazen. He is survived by his son Rick Hazen (Rita), stepdaughters Karen Miller, Kim Smith, and Kristin Hagen (Mark), as well as numerous beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 5th at 10 am with the funeral at 11 am. Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio.

Graveside service and burial will follow at Miami Valley Memory Gardens, 1639 East Lytle-Five Points Road, Centerville, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton or Westminster Presbyterian Church (222 Schoolhouse Lane, Columbus, OH 43228).