WA - Richard (Dick) J Hathaway, age 84, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025 in Seattle, WA. He was born on March 12, 1940 in Pontiac, MI and is preceded in death by his father Floyd Milton, mother Elizabeth (June), brother Lee and sister-in-law Gail, Daughter Kimberly Bell (Mark) and brother-in-law Dar Spearing. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Cindy Li, daughter Shawli Hathaway, daughter Kristina Beltzer (Michael), granddaughter Lauren Beltzer, and sister Sue Spearing. Richard graduated from Pontiac High School, Albion college and University of Michigan where he obtained advanced degrees in history and library sciences.

Richard was a career librarian which included postings as unit head of Michigan history/genealogy and documents in the Michigan State Library and the Director of Public Services, when the Library was moved from a civil services department to the Legislative branch. He was active in local Michigan historical societies. He compiled several guides to Michigan history and edited the book "Visions of Our Past." Following his retirement from State Government, he worked at the University of Michigan graduate library and launched MLink in 1988. MLink was the University of Michigan's electronic network which connected Michigan public libraries to the university network. Its purpose was to assist local communities. It was instrumental to the establishment of the I-Te@m, the first statewide technology association in Michigan. He also taught library science courses at Wayne State University.

In 2019 Richard and wife Cindy moved to Seattle, WA to be near their daughter, Shawli. They moved into a retirement community, the Lakeshore. He carried on his passion for learning and quickly started study groups for poetry and theater reading. He also helped with procuring a lecture series from a local Shakespeare theater group. He was on the editorial board for the in house magazine and helped write resident and staff biographies. His compassion and upbeat attitude made him well loved by the neighbors and popular among residents and staff.

Richard requested no public service. His ashes will be spread near Mio, Michigan where the family had a cabin on the Au Sable river and spent many summers away from the city.