Francis C (Fritz) Hatfield
d. August 19, 2003
Francis C (Fritz) Hatfield
Dr. Francis C. "Fritz" Hatfield, former Minnesota State University Mankato Mathematics Professor and Department Chair, died Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at Mankato House Health Care Center at the age of 84 of complications from Parkinson's disease.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church of Mankato at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m. The family prefers memorials to the Minnesota State University Mankato Foundation Dr. Francis C. Hatfield Mathematics Scholarship Fund, the MSU International Student Endowment Fund, Centenary United Methodist Church, or the donor's choice. Mankato Mortuary handling arrangements.
Fritz Hatfield was born April 20, 1919, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Rosa (Schumaker) and Francis Hatfield. The family moved to Elkton, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school, valedictorian of his class, in 1937. Following graduation he attended Winona State Teacher's College. It was there he met a young coed, Evelyn Frances Anderson. They were married June 26, 1943, and just this summer celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
In 1941, two quarters short of graduation, Fritz Hatfield enlisted in the United States Army, 98th Infantry Division. He was stationed on the island of Kauai in Hawaii where he, as part of the 369th Field Artillery Unit, prepared for the invasion of Japan. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended invasion plans. First Lieutenant Fritz Hatfield was honorably discharged in 1945. Although scattered throughout the United States, the Unit remained close in the years after the Second World War. Fritz and Evelyn attended a dozen reunions of the 369th, from Hawaii to Michigan, Minnesota to Florida, and Louisiana to California.
Fritz Hatfield returned to Winona State University and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1946. He later earned his Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. He was an honors graduate and member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. Fritz Hatfield joined the faculty at MSU (then Mankato State Teacher's College) in 1952. Prior to coming to MSU he taught mathematics at Bemidji State University and Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. During his tenure at MSU, he chaired the Mathematics Department for eight years, served as an advisor to the MSU Wesley Foundation and assisted in the International Students' Programs, here and abroad. Upon his retirement in 1987 he was named to the Mankato State University Emeriti Faculty.
Evelyn Hatfield was also a member of the faculty, teaching in the education department. In 1960 the couple built a home on Haynes Street, just blocks from the budding new campus and within walking distance of their offices, school activities and the life they loved and shared. In 1992 Fritz and Evelyn were honored by MSU for their "outstanding unselfish effort to promote Mankato State University to the people of the Greater Mankato Area."
A member of Centenary Methodist Church for 51 years, Fritz Hatfield served as a Sunday School teacher, Finance Chair and Building Project coordinator. He was a member of the Mankato Kiwanis Club, a volunteer for the Salvation Army, and an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts. In this latter position he led many canoe trips in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Both avid readers, he and Evelyn were members of the Mankato Great Books Club and the Ecumenical Book Club. The couple also shared an enthusiasm for travel, enjoying trips to Spain, England, China, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Hawaii and Alaska. In addition to these many activities, they were regular attendees of a community dance club.
Fritz Hatfield is survived by his wife, daughter Paige Evelyn (Bill) Macklin of Lakeville, MN, son Curtis Frank (Lynn) Hatfield of Swanville, MN, grandchildren Sarah Katherine (Paul) Patzloff, Daisy Erin Macklin, Molly Evelyn Macklin, Benjamin Franklin Hatfield, Jessica Jacqulon Hatfield, Kristina Lynn Hatfield, and two great-grandchildren Naomi Hatfield and Elaine Marlys Patzloff. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church of Mankato at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m. The family prefers memorials to the Minnesota State University Mankato Foundation Dr. Francis C. Hatfield Mathematics Scholarship Fund, the MSU International Student Endowment Fund, Centenary United Methodist Church, or the donor's choice. Mankato Mortuary handling arrangements.
Fritz Hatfield was born April 20, 1919, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Rosa (Schumaker) and Francis Hatfield. The family moved to Elkton, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school, valedictorian of his class, in 1937. Following graduation he attended Winona State Teacher's College. It was there he met a young coed, Evelyn Frances Anderson. They were married June 26, 1943, and just this summer celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
In 1941, two quarters short of graduation, Fritz Hatfield enlisted in the United States Army, 98th Infantry Division. He was stationed on the island of Kauai in Hawaii where he, as part of the 369th Field Artillery Unit, prepared for the invasion of Japan. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended invasion plans. First Lieutenant Fritz Hatfield was honorably discharged in 1945. Although scattered throughout the United States, the Unit remained close in the years after the Second World War. Fritz and Evelyn attended a dozen reunions of the 369th, from Hawaii to Michigan, Minnesota to Florida, and Louisiana to California.
Fritz Hatfield returned to Winona State University and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1946. He later earned his Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. He was an honors graduate and member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. Fritz Hatfield joined the faculty at MSU (then Mankato State Teacher's College) in 1952. Prior to coming to MSU he taught mathematics at Bemidji State University and Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. During his tenure at MSU, he chaired the Mathematics Department for eight years, served as an advisor to the MSU Wesley Foundation and assisted in the International Students' Programs, here and abroad. Upon his retirement in 1987 he was named to the Mankato State University Emeriti Faculty.
Evelyn Hatfield was also a member of the faculty, teaching in the education department. In 1960 the couple built a home on Haynes Street, just blocks from the budding new campus and within walking distance of their offices, school activities and the life they loved and shared. In 1992 Fritz and Evelyn were honored by MSU for their "outstanding unselfish effort to promote Mankato State University to the people of the Greater Mankato Area."
A member of Centenary Methodist Church for 51 years, Fritz Hatfield served as a Sunday School teacher, Finance Chair and Building Project coordinator. He was a member of the Mankato Kiwanis Club, a volunteer for the Salvation Army, and an assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts. In this latter position he led many canoe trips in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Both avid readers, he and Evelyn were members of the Mankato Great Books Club and the Ecumenical Book Club. The couple also shared an enthusiasm for travel, enjoying trips to Spain, England, China, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Hawaii and Alaska. In addition to these many activities, they were regular attendees of a community dance club.
Fritz Hatfield is survived by his wife, daughter Paige Evelyn (Bill) Macklin of Lakeville, MN, son Curtis Frank (Lynn) Hatfield of Swanville, MN, grandchildren Sarah Katherine (Paul) Patzloff, Daisy Erin Macklin, Molly Evelyn Macklin, Benjamin Franklin Hatfield, Jessica Jacqulon Hatfield, Kristina Lynn Hatfield, and two great-grandchildren Naomi Hatfield and Elaine Marlys Patzloff. He was preceded in death by his parents.
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