In Memory of Mark O. Hatfield (1922-2011)

On Sunday, August 7, 2011, former Oregon Governor and United States Senator from Oregon, Mark O. Hatfield passed away. He was 89 years old. In addition to his many years of public service, Mr. Hatfield was also an honorary director to the American Tinnitus Association’s Board of Directors. The Board, Scientific Advisory Committee and staff of ATA would like to extend our condolences to the Hatfield family in this undoubtedly difficult time. 

Mr. Hatfield was a close friend of the late Jack A. Vernon, Ph.D., one of ATA’s co-founders. A proponent of biomedical research, Mr. Hatfield was a natural ally to Jack who was trying to get funding established for the Oregon Hearing Research Center, where Jack eventually established his world-class tinnitus clinic. As chair of the all-powerful Senate appropriations committee, Mr. Hatfield was uniquely positioned to help both his state, and Jack. 

His work on behalf of the state of Oregon, would eventually touch lives across the U.S. and around the world, in ways he might have never known, including the many thousands of tinnitus patients who have come from all over the world, to be properly diagnosed and treated at the Oregon Health and Science University Tinnitus Clinic. 

In the Spring 2011 issue of Tinnitus Today, we highlighted some of the Senator’s contributions that directly impacted the tinnitus patient and research community. We invite you to read the article here.

Additionally, you can read more about his other work, both in Oregon and in the U.S. Senate by reading the in-depth article in Oregon's daily newspaper, The Oregonian.