Long-time court judge Richard Batten remembered
Justice Richard Batten, a wellrespected provincial court judge in Peterborough who worked until age 75, has died. He was 89.
Dick Batten ostensibly retired at age 65, only to work part-time for another decade. His son Mark Batten said he was an especially compassionate judge and father.
“He said he always tried to see the good in people – and for some, he had to look a little harder,” Mark Batten said.
Mr. Batten died surrounded by his three children at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Saturday.
He had cancer, but died of congestive heart failure. Mark Batten said his father had been in hospital since June.
Mr. Batten is survived by his son Mark as well as son Andrew Batten and daughter Alicia Batten. He also had two grandsons, Wil and Isaac (Mark’s sons).
He is predeceased by his wife Mary “Aileen” Batten. They’d been married for more than 55 years when she died in 2015.
Mr. Batten was born in a house on what is now Wolsely St. in Peterborough on April 1, 1928, said Mark Batten.
He grew up on a farm on Brealey Dr. and attended Peterborough Collegiate from 1940 until 1945.
Mr. Batten earned an arts degree from University of Toronto before law school at Osgoode Hall.
He then returned to practise law in Peterborough. He became a magistrate in 1966, and two years later he became a judge.
For many years Mr. Batten and his wife lived off Parkhill Rd. on a property that is now part of an expanse of land proposed for a new subdivision.
Mr. Batten sold the property several years ago, Mark Batten said; there’s currently an OMB hearing taking place to determine whether the Batten-White subdivision can be built.
Mark Batten recalls that his father loved to read – he subscribed to three newspapers.
Mr. Batten also loved travelling around the world with his wife; they went to Iceland and to the Galapagos Islands, for instance.
Mark Batten recalled a trip he took alone with his father to Peru, a decade ago. He said he’ll never forget the sightseeing in Machu Picchu with his father.
“We were at 12,000 feet, and he was moving faster than I was,” Mark Batten said.
Mr. Batten also loved to listen to opera and to sing, both with his church choir at George Street United Church and in the Bonachord Choir.
The day before he died, Mr. Batten received a plaque in the hospital from the Peterborough Kiwanis Club for 60 years of service and membership.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Batten at Emmanuel United Church East (formerly George Street United Church) on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Everyone is invited to join the family for a reception afterward, which will be followed by a private family internment at Little Lake Cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com