Richard Eaton

Richard G. Eaton, MD, of New Rochelle, NY and Brewster, MA, passed away on June 16, 2024.

Born in Forty Fort, PA to the late Ruth Shaw Eaton and Walter L. Eaton, Dr. Eaton

graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA after which he served as a military doctor at Fort Hood, Texas, as a Captain in the Army. Following his military service, Dr. Eaton did a Hand Surgery Fellowship with J. William Littler, MD, a pioneer in surgery of the hand. Dr. Littler later recruited Dr. Eaton to join the Hand Service at Roosevelt Hospital in NY which he directed from 1963 to 1999. During this time he served as the hand surgeon for the New York Mets.

An innovator, masterful surgeon, dedicated educator, and beloved mentor, Dr. Eaton trained nearly 80 fellows who have gone on to make major contributions to the practice of hand surgery around the world. Dr. Eaton's patients included British royalty, famous actors, musicians, artists and athletes as well as working people whose hands were their means for making a living. A kind and humble man, Dr. Eaton treated everyone with dignity and respect.

Dr. Eaton was an active member of the congregation of Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor, New York, serving on the Session and in multiple leadership roles through the years.

Dr. Eaton is survived by his daughters Holly R. Eaton of Silver Spring, MD, and Hillary K. Eaton of Brewster, MA. DuRee H. Eaton, MD, his wife of 55 years, passed away in 2010 and their son, Bradford H. Eaton, MD died in a tragic accident in 1984.

A funeral service will be held June 28, 2024 at 11:00 am at Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor, New York. A graveside service and burial will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Lower Road Cemetery in Brewster, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following charitable causes:

Bradford H. Eaton Memorial Lecture in Hand Surgery, an annual event featuring a prominent hand surgeon. Contributions cover the speaker's expenses and cost of hosting the event. Make checks payable to the Littler-Eaton Foundation, c/o Steve Glickel, MD, OrthoManhattan, 485 Madison Ave, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

Doctors without Borders, https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Brewster Conservation Trust, https://brewsterconservationtrust.org/