Richard M. Hadfield, 92, of Springfield, Illinois passed away at 5:43 am, Monday, April 1, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital. He was born October 18, 1931, to Earl and Wilma (Merrell) Hadfield in Ewing, MO. He married Connie Lou Murphy in 1957 who survives.

Survivors include one daughter, MayeBeth Hadfield of Chicago; one sister Ruth Ann (Barr) McReynolds of Quincy; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Hadfield of Columbia, MO and Donna Hadfield of Quincy, IL and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Roger and Ramon Hadfield.

Mr. Hadfield attended Ewing MO schools where he excelled in math and science while pursuing his love of basketball. Until his high school senior year, he and the Ewing Bulldogs played basketball on an outside dirt court at night lit only by car headlights of parents and fans parking in a circle around the court. By the time he was a senior, the school had finished construction on an indoor gymnasium which provided the perfect setting for the team’s winning season. Proudly wearing number 12, he was offered a full scholarship to play basketball, as a guard and center, for Hannibal Lagrange College Trojans, now University.

After graduating from HL, he completed his Bachelor of Science at the University of Missouri, Class of 1954. Upon graduation, he volunteered to serve in the US Army, Veterinary Corps, where he spent two years primarily on the Presidio in San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento inspecting meat that was used for soldiers’ meals across the world.

Upon entering the field of education, he taught trigonometry, calculus and various science and agriculture courses in Alasco and Hannibal MO high schools. In 1962, Meredosia-Chambersburg CUSD #11 hired him as the Superintendent of Schools where he successfully led the effort to construct a new junior high school building and gymnasium. Continuing his career as Superintendent at El Paso IL CUSD #11 in 1972, he successfully pursued the construction of a new grade school. He retired in 1994 after 16 years of service as Superintendent of the Williamsville Sherman CUSD #15. He took the role of Superintendent beyond the business aspect as he maintained his CDL to assist the transportation team, daily visited with the support staff, and rarely missed any of the extracurricular programs.

Mr. Hadfield’s passion was focused on the welfare of the students in the school district. Many times he remarked that his greatest achievement was when he was told by a former Hannibal High alumnus that an overwhelming majority of his math and science students went on to study at Rolla MO School of Mines and Metallurgy, now Missouri University of Science and Technology. As the superintendent, he often sponsored various field trips that he attended himself, including teaching students snow skiing and water skiing in the summers. An avid boater and water skier, he enjoyed his home at Lake of the Ozarks where during retirement he spent much of his time. As a humble golfer, he rarely mentioned the dusky evening out with his golf buddies when he made a hole in one on number 3 at the Rail Golf Course.

In addition to his career in education, Mr. Hadfield, during his college summers, worked in the oil fields in Midland TX as a roughneck. He helped his grandpa on the family farm and worked in the farm coop that his father managed.

Mr. Hadfield served on many boards and committees including the Illinois Educators Credit Union for over 30 years, the Sangamon Menard County Regional Board of Trustees, Sangamon State University Round Table, Sangamon County Schoolmasters, Sangamon Area Special Education District, Meredosia Lions Club, El Paso and Williamsville/Sherman Kiwanis Clubs and Calvary Church Board.

Mr. Hadfield completed his Associates Degree from Hannibal LaGrange University, Bachelor of Science from University of Missouri, Master of Arts Degree from Truman University, Educational Specialist Degree from Western Illinois University, and participated in the Doctoral program at Illinois State University.

Above all else, Mr. Hadfield was a devoted husband and father who dedicated most of his free time to his family and church. As a young boy, he accepted Christ as his Savior and continued to live out his faith all of his life. It has been said that his leadership assisted others in their faith as educators and as Christians. He will be remembered as one who modeled his faith.

Visitation: 10:00-11:00 am, Friday, April 5, 2024 at Calvary Church, 1730 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL.

Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Friday, April 5, 2024, at Calvary Church, 1730 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL, with Pastor Gary Grogan officiating. Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to “Calvary Church” or “Childhope” through which the Hadfields founded and continue to support a K-12 school in Teotitlan Oaxaca Mexico.

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