Dr. Richard A. Thayer was born on November 1, 1906, in Beloit, the son of Frederick A. and Belle Robinson Thayer. He married Barbara Pierson in 1931, and she died in 1961. They had two children, James and Nancy, who also predeceased him. Dr. Thayer married Martha McCarthy in 1962. She died in 1979. Dr. Thayer died in August of 1980.

Dr. Thayer was the city health officer in 1936 and worked with the schools and agencies like the Boy Scouts in promoting First Aid and good health programs.

Then the war came along and he served in the Army Medical Corps from 1942 through 1946 in Alaska and at Vaughn General Hospital in Maywood, Illinois.

It wasn’t only his knowledge of medicine that impressed his patients—it was his dedication, willingness, and unselfishness that endeared him to them. He had a quiet, sympathetic manner and never was too involved or busy to answer a call, day or night.

Dr. Thayer was particularly interested in ailments of the heart and had completed extra studies in that field. When Beloit Memorial Hospital was designed by architects, Dr. Thayer assisted materially in providing appointments assuring the institution would be medically in keeping with innovations encompassing the best in care and treatment. He particularly was interested in facilities to accommodate patients requiring intensive care.

In December of 1980, Beloit Memorial Hospital’s Coronary Care Unit was renamed “The Richard A. Thayer Coronary Care Unit.” According to Bert Lans, Board of Trustees President, the memorial is a “fitting honor” to a man who contributed a great deal to both health care in the Beloit community and to Beloit Memorial Hospital.

But Dick Thayer wasn’t all medical man, even though he was a good one. He served the St. Paul Episcopal Church as a vestryman, took an active role in the Beloit Chapter of the Red Cross, and gave the Beloit Visiting Nurse Association a helping hand.

And that wasn’t all. He served on various boards and commissions, including the Beloit Fire and Police Commission, and was active in the Beloit College Alumni Association.

Dick Thayer was the kind of person you could talk to, confide in, and consult as a caring and helping friend. He “always had time for you.” He was a charming conversationalist, well-informed in the community and events of the day, and he liked people. He, in turn, was well liked and very much respected by the people of the Beloit community.

Mr. Chairman, it is with great respect and honor that I place the name of Dr. Richard Thayer in nomination for enshrinement in the Beloit Hall of Fame.