By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Hattendorf

ANDERSON TWP. - Born and raised in Cincinnati, John C. Hattendorf desired, as a young man, to leave the city.

Fate had other plans.

He not only spent his life here, but he spent his entire career with the University of Cincinnati, performing a variety of administrative jobs that included organizing the handicapped student services office, chairing the financial aid appeals committee and placing co-op students.

He declared that he had no regrets in an interview with UC student Autumn Mueller early last year.

Mr. Hattendorf, 69, associate professor emeritus of UC's Division of Professional Practices, died Monday of a stroke at Christ Hospital.

His career with UC began in 1956 when he became assistant registrar. Before he retired in January, he was teaching professional development, and counseling co-op students in marketing and real estate.

In between he held the posts of associate registrar/central admissions officer, director of admissions, associate provost, associate vice provost for admissions and student services and for academic affairs.

Mr. Hattendorf was born at the Christ Hospital in 1933 and was a member of the Withrow High School class of 1951.

He majored in accounting at UC's College of Business Administration and worked for several companies, including Cincinnati Gas & Electric and Cincinnati General Hospital, through the school's co-op program.

While in school, Mr. Hattendorf enlisted with the ROTC to help pay for his education. He ultimately spent 11 years on active reserve status with the USAR School in Cincinnati. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 1968.

But in 1956, intent on having a career away from his hometown, he interviewed with many companies, but received no offers - mainly because of his Army commitment.

Engaged to be married in August and scheduled to report to Fort Sill, Okla., the following spring, he accepted a job as assistant registrar at UC.

He received a $3,000 annual salary and tuition remission, which enabled him to enroll in the master's program for education/school administration.

Throughout his career, he received many commendations, including the Jack M. Scott Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Ohio Association of College Admissions Counselors (1978) and the Ohio Cooperative Education Association's President's Award (2000).

He was an elder and session member of the Knox Presbyterian Church in Hyde Park as well as a member of the mission and social concerns committee, the building and grounds committee, and the congregational life committee.

Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Patricia L. Glaser Hattendorf; ; three daughters, Linda Sue Hattendorf, of New York, Laurie Marie Johnson of Mariemont and Becca E. Dehner of Anderson Township; two sons, Bruce John Hattendorf of Port Angeles, Wash. and Stephen Alexander Dehner of Los Angeles; a sister, Verna Ruth Bartholomew of Mount Washington; and two grandchildren.

Services have been held. Interment was at the Knox Presbyterian Church Columbarium.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com