Frederick Joseph Hatem, M.D.
Frederick Joseph Hatem, M.D., of Havre de Grace, Maryland, passed away on June 6, 2011. He was 84.
He was born in Havre de Grace, MD, to the late Joseph T. Hatem and Nasma Joseph Hatem.
He was the devoted husband of 58 years to Arianna Frances Hatem, loving father of Frederick Joseph Hatem, Jr., and his wife Carol, of Bel Air, MD, Michael Hatem of Havre de Grace, MD, Stephen F. Hatem, M.D., and his wife Amy, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Mary Beth Hatem of Takoma Park, MD, Christine L. Hatem, and her husband Thomas Jordan, M.D., of Bel Air, MD, and the late Joanne M. Hatem, M.D. He was the adored grandfather of Gregory F. Hatem, David J. Hatem, Aaron T. Jordan, Arianna Y. Jordan, and Sarah Anne Hatem. He was the brother of Rose Mary Hatem Bonsack, M.D., of Aberdeen, MD, and the late Thomas J. Hatem.

Dr. Hatem first established his medical practice as a family physician in1952 with the opening of an office in Aberdeen. Within a few years, as obstetrics had become a major part of his practice, Dr. Hatem limited his practice to that specialty and moved his office to Havre de Grace, where he partnered with Dr. Richard Norment. During the course of his career, Dr. Hatem delivered over 10,000 babies.


Upon establishing his office in Harford County, Dr. Hatem immediately became involved in the Harford County medical community. In 1955 he was elected president of the Harford County Medical Society and in 1956 he began what would be the first of eight terms as president and Chief of Medical Staff at Harford Memorial Hospital. He was also active at the state level, serving as chair of the policy and planning committee of Med-Chi, Maryland State Medical Society. He also served as chair of the independent Maryland Medical Political Action Committee. He was honored to have been elected to membership in the Rush Medical Club at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and was further honored when his son, Stephen F. Hatem, M.D., was also elected to membership.

In 1988 Dr. Hatem served a term on the Harford County Council and was active in the community in numerous areas, including the Boy Scouts troop 966 and as a coach for Havre de Grace Little League baseball. He served on numerous nonprofit boards throughout Harford County.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a member of the American Legion Post 47 and VFW Post 8126 in Havre de Grace. He was also a member of the Church of St. Patrick and the Knight of Columbus, serving each in numerous capacities.

In his limited spare time, Dr. Hatem enjoyed golfing. He was a charter member of Swan Creek Country Club and enjoyed recounting tales of his holes-in-one.

A viewing will be held on Friday, June 10, from 2-4 and 6-9, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD. A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Saturday, June 11, at 10:00 AM at the Church of St. Patrick, 615 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD. Father William J. O’Brien will officiate. Interment will be held at Mt. Erin Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Joanne Hatem, M.D. Memorial Fund, University of MD School of Medicine, 100 N. Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201. Checks should be made payable to UMBF, Inc., noting the Joanne Hatem, M.D. Memorial Fund on the subject line of the check.

Alternatively, gifts may be made in Dr. Hatem’s memory to the Church of St. Patrick, 615 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD, 21078, or The John Carroll School, 703 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21014.

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