Message from
Larry and Patty Smith
Thu, 10/28/2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God bless and be with you.
In Memory of
Benjamin Donald Hatfield
Benjamin Donald Hatfield, 30, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at MD Anderson Cancer Center after a courageous three year battle with Ewing's sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. Ben never gave up hope and, despite several painful surgeries and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, always kept a positive attitude. His strength and determination to beat cancer, even at the very end, will forever live on as an inspiration to all those around him.
Ben is survived by his wife, Heather, his parents, Donna and Dwight, and his sisters, Sarah and Emily. He was a loving husband and wonderful son and brother. He was also, by all reports, a favorite Uncle of his precious nephew Nate.
Ben received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in philosophy in 2002. He received his JD from Boston University in 2005 and became a licensed attorney in the state of Texas in November of 2005. He worked at a software company until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. He was a very talented writer who was working on a fiction novel while he underwent treatment.
Ben and Heather first met as freshman at The Woodlands High School. They were both very successful high school debaters and loved to ply their talents in arguments with each other. Although it wasn't until their senior year that Ben and Heather started dating, in just a few months they both knew they had found their best friend and true love for life. Upon graduating from UT, they moved to Boston and attended Law School at Boston University together. Those years in Boston will always be cherished by Heather as the magic years with her Ben. They were married on January 1, 2005. Upon graduation from Law School, they returned to Houston and lived in the Heights with their beloved dog Cash.
The family would also like to express their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, and other fine support personnel at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Their efforts in the fight against this monstrous disease allowed Ben's family more precious time to spend with their wonderful Ben. And at the end, when things were blackest, the family will never be able to adequately express their sincere appreciation for the compassion and respect shown by the Palliative Care doctors and nurses.
Services will be held at Rice University Chapel located in the Rice Memorial Center at 6100 Main Street in Houston on Friday, October 29, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service at the Farnsworth Pavilion in the Rice Memorial Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amschwand Sarcoma Center Foundation - www.sarcomacancer.org
Services
Memorial Service
Fri. Oct. 29, 2010
3:00 pm
Rice University Memorial Chapel
6100 Main Street
Houston , TX 77005.
3:00 pm
Rice University Memorial Chapel
Houston , TX 77005.
Fri. Oct. 29, 2010
3:00 pm
In Memory of
Benjamin Donald Hatfield
Benjamin Donald Hatfield, 30, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at MD Anderson Cancer Center after a courageous three year battle with Ewing's sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. Ben never gave up hope and, despite several painful surgeries and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, always kept a positive attitude. His strength and determination to beat cancer, even at the very end, will forever live on as an inspiration to all those around him.
Ben is survived by his wife, Heather, his parents, Donna and Dwight, and his sisters, Sarah and Emily. He was a loving husband and wonderful son and brother. He was also, by all reports, a favorite Uncle of his precious nephew Nate.
Ben received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in philosophy in 2002. He received his JD from Boston University in 2005 and became a licensed attorney in the state of Texas in November of 2005. He worked at a software company until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. He was a very talented writer who was working on a fiction novel while he underwent treatment.
Ben and Heather first met as freshman at The Woodlands High School. They were both very successful high school debaters and loved to ply their talents in arguments with each other. Although it wasn't until their senior year that Ben and Heather started dating, in just a few months they both knew they had found their best friend and true love for life. Upon graduating from UT, they moved to Boston and attended Law School at Boston University together. Those years in Boston will always be cherished by Heather as the magic years with her Ben. They were married on January 1, 2005. Upon graduation from Law School, they returned to Houston and lived in the Heights with their beloved dog Cash.
The family would also like to express their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, and other fine support personnel at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Their efforts in the fight against this monstrous disease allowed Ben's family more precious time to spend with their wonderful Ben. And at the end, when things were blackest, the family will never be able to adequately express their sincere appreciation for the compassion and respect shown by the Palliative Care doctors and nurses.
Services will be held at Rice University Chapel located in the Rice Memorial Center at 6100 Main Street in Houston on Friday, October 29, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service at the Farnsworth Pavilion in the Rice Memorial Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amschwand Sarcoma Center Foundation - www.sarcomacancer.org
Charitable Donations may be made to:
Amschwand Sarcoma Center Foundation
2260 West Holcombe Boulevard, Hosuton, TX 77030.
Website Link
Tributes
Message from
Jason
Thu, 10/28/2010
Ben you were a brother, an uncle, and a friend. Carrie and Nathan and I will miss you. Nate will always remember his Uncle Ben.
Message from
Nancy Creel
Thu, 10/28/2010
Heather and family,
When you were a little girl dancing round and round (and always in charge!) we wondered who would capture your heart and soul! Ben, with his charm, spirit and humor, was the one. Our hearts are fractured for his passing and all you have endured.
Every single one of us sends our strength and love to you Heather.
Message from
The McDougall Family
Thu, 10/28/2010
Farewell most precious Warrior. As a member of our family you taught us so much and we are a better richer family because of you. You taught us to be kind and to include all people. You never complained in the three years you battled your cancer. You modeled bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. Charlie will always remember being 8 years old and being excited whenever you came over. Little did he know that you were not coming over to play with him, but rather to date Heather. Jason and Carrie will always keep your memory in Nate, he will always remember your "snorts car". Aunt Char will miss watching UT football games with you. Who will Rod talk technology with? I was always impressed with your wisdom and patience. Most importantly you taught us to never give up, and to never give up hope. How you will be missed!
Message from
Mike and Susan Lenk
Thu, 10/28/2010
Dwight, Donna, Sarah, Emily- Please accept our most heartfelt condolences over your loss. After reading the tribute to Ben, and all of the comments from loved ones, Ben grew to be the man we expected him to be. Even though we only knew hin in his youth, he was wise beyond his years, and had the Hatfield sense of humor that apparently carried into his adulthood. While our feeling of emptiness pales in comparison to yours, please know that others share your grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Message from
Michelle Feavel
Fri, 10/29/2010
My dearest Emily,
It is so hard to find the right words now. Words that will give you comfort in your time of sorrow. As I remember our conversations over the past three years, I keep thinking about how lovingly you prayed and talked about Ben, how you never gave up hope, and how our conversations would ease your fears. Know that you were an amazing sister to your brother and an inspiration to all those who walked this journey with you. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that so many are praying for you and your family now. May God bless you all.
Message from
Bud Jones
Mon, 11/01/2010
Dwight and family,
My condolences for the loss of your son Ben.
Regards,
Bud Jones
Message from
Jack and Pat Redding
Mon, 11/08/2010
Dear Heather and family,
We treasure the memory of your wedding at St. Anthony of Padua. Especially the U.T.score at the end of the service
It was wonderful to be included in your special day as you began your life together. No one at that time could know the journey that you two would embark on together.
Jack and I send our deepest condolences to you and the families at this difficult time. We are sorry that we were out of town and missed the services. Kristin said the Rice memorial was a tribute to the life you and Ben made together.
Please know that you are in our prayers, and and the memories of both of you are in our hearts.
Love, Pat and Jack
Guest Book
Sign Guestbook