Dr. Robert “Bob” Hattery
December 15, 1939 - February 11, 2023
Dr. Robert “Bob” Hattery, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2023, in Newark, Delaware. He was surrounded by his family and supportive care givers at the Millcroft Skilled Nursing Center.
Bob was born in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Robert “Ralph” Hattery and Goldie (Secor) Hattery. When Bob was two, his father passed away and he and his mother moved to rural Indiana to be closer to family. He attended Indiana University where he earned both his Baccalaureate Degree and the Doctor of Medicine Degree, with a specialty in Radiology.
In 1961 he married Diane (Sittler) and they were happily married for 56 years until her death in March 2017.
After interning at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX and serving as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force (stationed at Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas) he began his residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He rose to the rank of Professor (1982), serving as the Chair of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology (1981-1986). In 1994, Bob became the Chairman of the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors, thus becoming the Chief Executive Officer for all of Mayo Clinic’s operations in Rochester. He remained at the school until 1998.
After he retired from Mayo Clinic in 1998, he served as Executive Director of the American Board of Radiology until 2007. He was a pioneer in the field of diagnostic radiology and held many leadership positions, including serving as president in 2005 of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Bob authored or co-authored more than 150 peer reviewed publications and was invited to give lectures and workshops at dozens of domestic and international conferences. Committed to teaching and mentoring, as well as research, he trained hundreds of medical students and residents and his legacy lives on through their work.
For all his professional accomplishments, Bob’s greatest joy came from his family. Preceded in death by his loving wife, Diane, he is survived by his daughter, Dr. Angela Jean Hattery (her spouse Dr. Earl Smith) and son, Michael Robert Hattery. He has four grandchildren: Travis Mathew Hattery Freetly (his partner Marina Bozinovic), Dr. Emma (her spouse, Michael), Logan Michael Ma Hattery and Jack Robert Ma Hattery. It is through them that his and Diane’s passion for education and social justice stays alive.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please honor the lives of both Bob and Diane by making a donation in their names to Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or by clicking here to support research, teaching and patient care.
Amy Fletcher
Angie and Family,
Your parents were some of my most favorite clients. Bob and Diane made everyone feel welcome and appreciated. I always enjoyed meeting with them in my office and seeing them at Beyond Bread for breakfast. Bob and Diane were a loving couple and it gives comfort to know that they are back together now.
Warmest regards,
Amy
Gary Becker
Bob Hattery was a good friend and an exceptional leader in his chosen profession, Medicine, and more specifically Diagnostic Radiology, with a subspecialty emphasis in genitourinary radiology. His exceptional leadership skills led to his roles as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Mayo Clinic, President of the Radiological Society of North America, and Executive Director of the American Board of Radiology.
Bob always seemed to love his small-town Indiana roots, basketball, his profession, and Diane, the love of his life. He was unpretentious and in fact self-deprecating in a very humorous way when it came to the reality of his short stature and his fanciful desire to be a basketball star.
Bob became a key mentor to me in my career from the moment I met him in May of 2000. I’m grateful for all I learned from him and for the relationship we had.
I know that Bob is at peace, now that his spirit has joined Diane’s for eternity.
Gary J. Becker
Robert L MacCarty
I was one of the hundreds (thousands?) of residents and students who trained under Bob Hattery. Among many other things, he thought me the critical importance of a systematic, compulsive approach to image analysis, something which has spilled over to many aspects of my life. My wife, Gretchen, and I have always been grateful for having had Bob and Diane as special people in our lives.
All our best feelings are extended to the Hattery family.
Bob and Gretchen MacCarty
Bernie and Kathy King
When people mention the word, “ mentorship”, I immediately think of Bob Hattery. Like so many, I am so proud and grateful to have experienced Bob’s mentorship. He always strived for excellence and stressed that in all that he did. He loved the discipline of radiology and was a great teacher. One of my favorite quotes from Bob in the radiology reading room was, “Diseases and their pathologies don’t change, but the way we image them and diagnose them can change”!
Bob and Diane were some of the most generous people my wife and I have ever known and their love for one another were great examples for all if us. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Bernie King
Patrick F Sheedy karen n sheedy
Our condolences to the family….p and k
Jeff Korsmo
Dear Angie, Mike and family,
I was sorry to learn of your Dad’s death. My first memory of your dad was as a kid seeing the very young Dr. Hattery mowing the backyard and enjoying the wave and hello I would receive from him, and also seeing all of you at church at St. Pius.
As you know, your dad had a huge impact on me personally and on my career. He took the time to mentor, teach, challenge and support me very early in my career. He advocated for me and challenged me to grow with new opportunities to help make a difference in work that he deemed important.
Among countless memories of him for me, a few highlights are: Gonda planning & preparation, the rigor of annual planning and accountability he infused, intense and meticulous planning for key Board of Governors and Board of Trustees meetings, going to visit with him while he was reading film in radiology, his and your mom’s generosity at church, and the joy I saw in them as a couple.
He left an indelible positive mark
on Mayo Clinic, the field of Radiology and countless colleagues and friends like me. I will always be grateful that I had the privilege of having him and your mom as part of my life.
Best wishes to all of you,
Jeff Korsmo
David Stephens
Bob and Diane left us with a host of memories and a legacy that lives on.
Best regards and deepest condolences to the family.
David
Mary (Kalmes) Rahman
Angie and Mike,
I was sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. It was ages ago, but sometimes seems like yesterday, that we lived across the street from each other. We had such a great time and made wonderful memories (neighborhood kick the can, hide n’ seek, too many to name). Riding our bikes to the Tastee Freeze during the summer and biking to school at St. Pius.
May you hold all the memories of your dad close to your heart and cherish them always.
Max & Sue Hattery Family
Dear Angie, Mike and Families
We are saddened to hear of Bob’s passing You have our thoughts and condolences. We are grateful to Bob and Diane for their way of sharing us thru the girls illnesses.
Pray you are at peace that Bob is at rest after a long fulfilling life.
Gregory McGuiness
Dear Diane,Michael, and Angela. I was saddened to hear about Bob! I always looked forward to our meetings to learn about your generous – compassionate activities present and past. Thank you for sharing a small part of your life with me…Godspeed! Greg McGuiness
Dr. M. Elizabeth Oates
To Bob’s family: No doubt about it, Dr. Bob Hattery was a genuine class act and a wonderful person whom I had the privilege to know, admire, and respect during his tenure at the ABR. My deepest condolences, Liz Oates
Mary Balow
Dear Angie & Mike & Family,
Just found out about your dad’s passing. I am so very sorry for your great loss.
You both know the depth of my love for both your mom and dad. I know the depth of their love for one another and all of you. Both were my friends nearly all my life. They deeply touched me with God’s Love !
Rest in Peace dear ones!
Mary
Jim and Martha borgstede
Bob was a wonderful mentor, colleague, and friend. The world is a better place because of Bob. He will be sorely missed.
Fr. Edward McGrath
Dear Angela and Mike,
Both Bob and Diane are excepionally good persons, now at peace. On the occasion of your Dad’s death I am particularly grateful for his wisdom. Also to both of them for their faith and devotion especially in Teams of Our Lady. May Bob rest in peace and you, Mike and Angie, be comforted.
Fr Ed McGrath
sarah s donaldson
Bob was very special to so many of us. He was filled with kindness and consideration for those whose lives he touched. I have a treasury box of wonderful memories of Bob Hattery. Sarah S Donaldson
Theresa C. McLoud, M.D>
Dear Angie and family,
It was a privilege for me to work closely with Bob for several years on the RSNA Board. He and Diane became my close friends. He contributed to our specialty in radiology in many ways not only because of his expertise but also his mentorship, teaching and his good humor. Bob once shared an anecdote with some friends at a meeting. To quote :”Theresa is a great friend and colleague. We differ in many ways : She is from Boston and I am a solid Midwesterner, she is a die hard democrat and I am a republican. However she did indicate to me that our friendship was under threat only once when I told her I was an absolute Yankee Fan!! ”
He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. My sincere condolences to all his familyl,
Sincerely,
Theresa McLoud
Barb and Dan Mihalovich
Angie and Family
We are saddened by your Father’s death but we have all been blessed by knowing him and his life long love, Diane. They were the cutest couple and so loving and fun to be with. They would always be so interested in knowing about our family.
Bob was gifted intellectually and administratively. He was a great leader of people and organizations which ultimately led him to managing and guiding a world icon, the Mayo Clinic. In every position, he dedicated his life to the service and betterment of others on a medical and spiritual level. This was his purpose in life. He was a deeply devout man.
In spite of his success, he would always be that rural Indiana farm boy who had such pride in being so. He never forgot who he was and wanted to share his success with others by mentoring them. By doing so, he advanced the health, success and personal development of so many others. Well done Bob.
We love you Bob and miss you. You are now being rewarded for your truly successful life. Rest in peace.
Dan and Barb Mihalovich
Tom and Mary Berquist
Bob was a devoted mentor, colleague, and friend. It began with 5 am mentoring sessions and ended with playing hoops in the gym. We served together at Mayo and subsequently on the ABR. He was the ultimate teacher and leader.
After our retirement years we enjoyed spending time with Bob and Diane. They were great friends and they are both sorely missed. Condolences to Angie and Mike and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are for you all.
Bruce Hillman
Sic transit gloria mundi. For all of Bob’s many accomplishments and his contributions to our field, what we will remember best is his optimistic humanity.
Daniel E. O'Neill
I first met Dr. Hattery in 1968 when I first started at Mayo as a tech and he was a resident. We became friends and worked together for many years. In our later years he used to chide me that I should retire and I told him I was to young. I ran into him one day when he was back after he had left Mayo. He asked me when I was retiring. I told him he should not worry because I planned for him to speak at my retirement party. Low and behold at my party I was interrupted in visiting with people to take a phone call. It was Dr. Hattery. That moment has meant the world to me and I think of it often. Dan O
Pete Choyke
I have fond memories of Dr. Hattery and this world is lesser place for his departure. He was one of the most kind and generous men and he gave me advice and feedback (not always good) throughout my career even though I never was his responsibility. If I had to provide one word to describe him it would be gentle. Rest easy Bob.
Valerie Jackson
I am so sad about Bob’s passing. He was my mentor for several organizations – ACR, ABR, RSNA. I was proud to carry on the Indiana University tradition and follow in his footsteps as an ABR Executive Director and move to Tucson where I could spend more time with Bob and Diane. They were wonderful, generous people. I am happy that they are both at peace and together again. I learned so many lessons from Bob, but the most memorable was that one is never too short to play basketball.
Irma & Les Wurtele
Very sad to hear this. Bob and I were radiology residents at Mayo together and considered Bob and Diane very close friends.
Jenni Bosma
Angie and family,
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your dad. He was such a great mentor to so many. His patience in orienting me to the work and future challenges at the ABR back in 2005 was incredible, and he always took the time to say, “And how are you doing?” Wishing you the comfort of your memories and lifetime of experiences with him and your mom.
Jenni and Ken Bosma
Susan Hilton, MD
If I had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Hattery one last time, my words would be as follows.
Dr. Hattery, for many years I have been inspired by your extraordinary leadership and mentorship to so many. Your welcoming words and smile conveyed to me a sense of belonging on my first day as an examiner for the oral radiology boards; thank you so much for mentoring me. Your memory reminds me that the utmost kindness, dedication to family and community, and excellence can be realized in one individual. Your ways and deeds will serve as a timeless model. I extend my deepest sympathy to your family, Dr. Hattery, rest in peace.
Pat klopfenstein fisher
I knew “Bobby” Hattery when he and my brother ride tricycles together in Akron, Indiana. It has been pleasant to think of him in recent years and his distinguished career at Mayos.