Dr. R.E.’s Hat

Dr. R.E. Lovett had an appreciation for fine hats (maybe a fetish we might say). The Horany men of Horany’s Department Store shared that common appreciation for fine hats. Freddy Horany, being the salesman he was, would find a great hat he loved then tell Dr. R.E. about it.

Through the years, Dr. R.E. acquired quite a collection of the summer straw and the winter beaver fedora. He was generous with his hats. As his collection grew, he would give them away to friends who wore his same size…but there were few who did.

My husband, Neil, loves hats also. When Dr. R.E. found out the Neil wore his same size, he gave him one from his collection. Neil has owned several hats through the years, but never a soft beaver fedora with the liner sporting the words “Dobbs, Fifth Ave., New York City” – a treasure he still wears with joy! Dr. R.E. Lovett was loved by all. He was gener

Dr. R.E. Lovett was loved by all. He was generous with his love of community and its people. If you needed a doctor at 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, it would be Dr. R.E. who would be available to help. On several occasions, whether it was multiple red ant bites, wasp stings or even a Sat. morning when our child actually fell out of the car as we went around a corner – who was available to help? – Dr. R.E. Lovett!

The question is this: Does the hat make the man? The answer is “No.” It is the heart of a man that counts. Dr. R. E. Lovett, forever remembered.