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RICHARD C. HUNTER; MENTAL HEALTH REFORMER AND ADVOCATE Richard C. Hunter, 89, died February 25, 2004 at the Fairfax Nursing Center in Fairfax, Virginia, as a result of two strokes. His career in mental health reform and advocacy began as a World War II conscientious objector and impacted the wellbeing of people all over the world throughout the following 60 yrs. Hunter, a Falls Church resident, was born March 9, 1914 in Browns Valley, Minnesota, where his father was employed as a railway mail clerk. He earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1938, and was employed by the Hennepin County (MN) County Welfare Board from 1938 until his induction in June 1941 into the Civilian Public Service program that was established by Congress in 1940 to provide for alternate public service by conscientious objectors receiving 4E draft classifications. He was one of approximately 3000 conscientious objectors who spent their alternative service working in the nation’s public and private mental hospitals. Following his release from the CPS program at the end of World War II, Hunter continued to serve at Marlboro State Hospital as a paid employee in the Social Service Department until he joined the staff of the National Mental Health Foundation in Philadelphia, in October 1946. Hunter served as NMHF’s Executive Director from 1948 until its merger with the National Committee on Mental Hygiene and the Psychiatric Foundation to form the National Assn for Mental Health in October 1950 (now the National Mental Health Association). He served on the staff of the newly formed organization as Assistant to the President until 1952 when he was appointed Executive Director of the Mental Health Assn of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He held that position until 1967 when he returned to the NMHA national staff. He and his family moved to the Washington area in July 1971 when the national headquarters of NMHA were relocated to Virginia from NY City. Hunter became NMHA’s Interim Executive Director from September 1977 until September 1978, retiring from the NMHA staff in March 1982. Following his retirement from NMHA, Hunter became engaged in the work of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health advocacy and education organization founded in 1948 to promote a worldwide mental health movement. After managing the WFMH 1983 World Congress in Washington, D.C., he accepted the voluntary position of Deputy Secretary General. In this role, he served as the chief operating officer for the Federation’s Secretariat, until October 2002. Hunter continued to serve the WFMH as Senior Advisor for Programs and as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Mental Health Association (US) up until his death. In 1992, Hunter designed and created the WFMH World Mental Health Day project as a global mental health education campaign to focus worldwide attention on a major mental health issue each year. Since its inception, World Mental Health Day has gained recognition as the premier global public awareness and education program in the mental health field, with its annual campaign material now distributed to over 5000 people in 190 countries. Richard Hunter was an active member of Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna, VA, for over thirty years. He personally supported and enabled Emmaus to “adopt” a school outside of Monrovia, Liberia, which had been named in his honor. Hunter married Mary Margaret Mitchell on June 18, 1944 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, having met her during his first 28 months of service in the Civilian Public Service program while assigned to a Soil Conservation Camp. Mary Margaret died June 13, 1978. They had two children, Robert (deceased); and Donetta, who resides in McLean. He is also survived by his son-in-law George Eichinger and two grandchildren, Alissa and George III. Above all, Richard Hunter will be remembered for his humble lifestyle, kind heart, integrity and his devotion to serving the world by dedicating his life to helping others. His memory will live on in the numerous good deeds he has done throughout his life. Per the wishes of Richard Hunter and his family, several organizations are being listed as to where donations can be sent in lieu of flowers. In honor of Richard C Hunter, please send donations to any of the following: Emmaus United Church of Christ, the National Mental Health Association, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and the World Federation for Mental Health. For addresses or phone numbers of the following organizations, please call 703.838.7543.
Condolence letter from Mrs. Rosalynn Carter…
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