WAUKESHA - Prominent Waukesha attorney Richard Hunter died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001, at the Avalon Manor at age 92. He was born April 30, 1909, in Viola, to David and Jessie (nee Nuzum) Hunter.

Mr. Hunter is a 1930 honors graduate of Carroll College, and in 1933 he earned his Juris Doctor summa cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. While in law school he was elected to the Order of the Colif. In the early 1940s he worked for the FBI, and then served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Mr. Hunter was a leading attorney in Waukesha for more than 60 years, beginning his law career as an associate in the firm of Lockney & Lowry. Through the years the firm has evolved to its present status of Hunter & Sommers, Limited Liability Partnership. Mr. Hunter remained an integral part of his law firm, where he continued to serve as the senior partner. Even at age 92, you could find him at his office almost daily.

Mr. Hunter was a current member and past president of the Waukesha County Bar Association, where he sat on the board of governors. He was a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

He has given decades of service and leadership to the Waukesha area. He was a former member of the board of trustees of Waukesha Memorial Hospital, serving as its president during a period of great expansion. Mr. Hunter was a former member of the boards of the Waukesha County Library and Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce.

He has been a friend of Carroll College his entire lifetime, sharing his compassion and leadership. He served for 22 years as a board member, including 11 years as secretary. Following his tenure, he was made an honorary life trustee, and was awarded an honorary doctorate of law degree. He was presently a Trustee Emeritus, and in 1999 he received the P.E. MacAllister Distinguished Alumnus Award for his service.

He will be sadly missed by his children, Carolyn Hunter of Waukesha and Frances (William) Hunter Laatsch of Sturgeon Bay. He is the beloved grandfather of Sara Birschbach, Ann (William Embly) Laatsch, Amy (Mike) Dethloff and David (Tara) Laatsch. He is further survived by his special great-grandson, Eric Hunter Dethloff, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Hartopp Hunter, on Jan. 16, 2000, and his sister, Jean Hunter Burns.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service Thursday, Dec. 27, at Carroll College's Humphrey Memorial Chapel. The Rev. William Humphreys will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, or to the Hunter Scholarship Fund at Carroll College.

For more information, call Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 547-4035.