Richard Hennen

MADISON - Richard "Chick" Hennen, age 96, passed away peacefully on December 11th, 2012, at Karmenta Center, Madison WI. He was closely attended by his loving wife, Mary. He is survived by his wife, Mary Hennen of Madison, his sister, Margie Kemmeter of Jefferson, his children Greg Hennen (Luann), Mark Hennen (Bunita) and Gene Hennen (Kathy), Alex Lough, Martha Armstrong (Richard), Janet Danielson (Richard), Joe Lough (Kirsten Spalding), 11 grandchildren Clara, Daniel, Carl, Kristen, Maia, Alexandra, Erik, Sara, Ryan, Averil, and Yates, and 12 great-grandchildren Cole, Leo, Saia, Lilla, Hazel, Francesca, Vincenzo, Eleora, Martin Jr, Finnian, Marley, and Zoey. He had lived a full and active life which included sailing, biking, square dancing, skiing, tennis, traveling, and many family-centered events at their home on Lake Monona. He was active in the Optimists Club and the East Side Business Association, served as volunteer physician at East Central High School when his son played football there, enjoyed auditing university classes, and spent many hours on his hobby of carpentry. He produced beautiful furniture for their house and built a spectacular doll house. Chick was born in Jefferson, WI, the third son of Edward and Mary Hennen. His younger sister, Margie, is the only surviving child of their parents. Chick graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical school, was a member of ROTC, and became an officer in the US Army Medical Corps. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he met his first wife, Virginia Reneau. After the war, Chick and two other physicians founded the East Madison Clinic on Atwood Avenue, where he became known as a compassionate and excellent physician. He delivered many of Madison's future citizens. In May, 1971, Chick married Mary Lough and adopted her two younger children, Janet and Joe Lough. The family grew to include many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A special thanks to friends Gene Skroch and Alton and Roma Price for their great friendship, and to his devoted physician Dr. Albert Musa, to the staff of Karmenta Center for their kindness and hard work, and to Heartland Hospice. Chick will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends, and remembered as an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Society in Madison on January 19th at 12:30 PM.