|
Dr. Richard Challice Haydon, III, 58, departed this life on Sun. Nov. 21, 2010 at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. Born in Richmond, VA, on Feb. 21, 1952, he was the son of the late Richard C. Haydon, Jr., and Nancy P. Haydon Lawson. Dr. Haydon was a Head and Neck surgeon at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He is survived by a son, Richard C. Haydon IV and wife, Jennifer, of Toronto, Canada; a daughter, Caroline M. Haydon, of Lexington, KY; companion, Dr. Maria C. Veling, Lexington, KY; a sister, Victoria Bonifant and husband, Dr. William, of Martinsburg, WV; a brother, Dr. Geoffrey Haydon, Atlanta, GA; and the mother of Richard and Caroline, Deborah Haydon, Lexington, KY.
He graduated from Osbourn High School, Manassas, VA, in 1970, earned a B.S. from Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, in 1974 graduating cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Delta, and Pi Kappa Alpha. He graduated from the University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA, with an M.D. in 1978, completing a general surgery internship at the University of Missouri Medical Center, Columbia, MO, in 1979, and his otolaryngology residency in 1983.
From 1984 to 1990, he was an associate professor and acting chairman at West Virginia University in the Department of Otolaryngology. He has practiced and taught at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from 1990 serving as associate professor in the Division of Otolaryngology. Throughout his academic career, he has been extensively published, and has participated in many leadership positions at the national level.
He has received numerous distinguished teaching awards throughout his career, including many Golden Apple awards, Excellence in Teaching awards, and was given the Best Doctors in America award for many consecutive years. He has been actively involved as a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, serving as its president from 2008-9.
His personal interests include golfing and tennis.
A memorial service will be held at 5 PM Wed. at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY 40513 by Pastor Vincent Farris. Visitation will be 5 to 8 PM Tues. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the University of Kentucky ENT Resident Education Fund, UKHC Development, 138 Leader Avenue, Lexington, KY 40506.
|
Joan Marshall (Gordon)
I arrived in Manassas,Va in the summer of 1966 and being a shy girl it was not easy --I met Rick thanks to my neighbor and friend - Brenda Garber -- I had the great honor of going to the OHS Home Coming with Rick - we lived just blocks from each other and I remember his Mom driving him to pick me up -- for someone new to Manassas it was such a wonderful experience to have someone like him take me. Years later what most of you don't know is that I never had learned how to swim and he - as my friend - took me to Brenda Bridges home and actually had me swimming - of course after he make me jump off the diving board and swim to the side our lesson for that day was over as far as I was concerned. I wish I had told him long ago what a great friend he was to me - that I will always regret.
Joan Marshall Gordon
Robbie Leo (Arnold)
Rick and I attended Mrs. Royer's Kindergarten together and all the rest of our elementry, middle school and high school grades. I remember a 6th grade party at his house and I also remember vividly, the night he was told of his father's death. Some things you never forget! Methodist youth Fellowship with Rick was a Sunday evening event I looked forward to. During high school Rick was a cut up and our class of 1970 had great fun laughing over his antics. With Rick's passing, a bit of humor has left this serious world. I believe we've lost a good man! Robbie Leo Arnold
Ginny Romanowski (Thorn)
I will also remember Rick's incredible sense of humor. He AND David usually kept me in stitches and in trouble for laughing at all the wrong times. They were both so kind as well.
Rest in peace, sweet Rick.
Ginny
Ann (Eunice) Garman (McCredie)
How do we say goodbye to such a fine man? No one will take your place, not in our hearts, not in your practice, not at our reunion. A classmate we can all look to and say, oh yes, there was a class leader, a man who followed his dreams and made a difference in his lifetime. We love you Rick. Wait for us and we'll all visit soon. Ann MarieBruce Wood
I came to know Rick in 4th grade @ Old Bennett and we were friends ever since. The “Haydon” house was one of my 2nd homes growing up Manassas. As kids, we would stay up and play board games…Monopoly, Life, Game of States. If a game had a board or a deck of cards, we’d play it…that was until we heard the “voice” say “Rick“. It was all Rick’s mom, Nancy, had to say, which translated meant “Rick, it’s getting late, it’s time to turn the lights out, and go to bed!”. Going to sleep was fine with us, ‘cause we knew a box a fresh donuts from the Manassas Bakery would be on the kitchen table in the morning.
I never realized it but Rick and I were very competitive, but never in competition. Rick was usually one step ahead of me, and I realized years later that Rick was an inspirational friend. We challenged each other to learn the states and capitols in Mr. Blake’s 6th grade class. At Marsteller JH, I played clarinet in the band for 2 years then quit to play sports…Rick was an accomplished musician. Our senior year at Osbourn, I was elected Key Club President, only to have Rick be nominated for, and elected as, Vice-President of Key Club International. Although I didn‘t know what an International VP did, I was quite proud of my friend, and that our club, high school, and town were represented at such a level. Later, he goes and becomes a distinguished doctor and professor.
Rick was the master of the “straight-face”, which I define as “the art of doing something inappropriate while projecting an air of innocence“. I can think of a number of occasions where he pulled that off, and several of us received the blame for some of Rick’s transgressions.
I think my dad thought Rick was Eddie Haskell in real life. “How are you today Mr. Wood?” or “How’s the construction business?” Rick might say. Then, about 5:30 pm during dinner there would be a loud explosion somewhere in town, which probably meant that a mailbox had been separated from its wooden post, and my dad would say “That %#&^#%^& Rick Haydon!”. How did he know?
When we started planning the 40th reunion in 2009, Rick told me emphatically that he would be at the reunion “no matter what!” almost in defiance of his ever-worsening cancer. He was one of the first to sign up on the web site and register for a room at the Sheraton. We spoke or emailed frequently and he was so positive that he convinced us he was improving. In early September, he apologetically told me that he simply could not make the reunion, and to make sure everyone knew he was thinking of them.
Rick loved coming ‘home’ to Manassas. When he came home, he wasn’t “Dr Haydon”, but simply Rick. All he wanted to do was see family and friends and reminisce about “the old days”. Rick would laugh so hard at the same, wonderful stories that he would have to wipe a tear away and had to sit down…and that is how I want to remember my friend Rick.