To Celebrate a Life of Love: Michael Hotard
December 7, 1957-March 4, 2021
Michael Hotard, 63, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Fayetteville, NC, on December 7, 1957, to parents, Mary Elizabeth and Joseph Leonce Hotard, III. Prior to sustaining a traumatic brain injury on May 17, 2004, Mike was a General Surgeon who attended Central Catholic High School (’75) and St. Mary’s University (’79) of San Antonio, TX. In May of 1979, he was commissioned into the Army and in 1984 he obtained his medical degree from USUHS School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD.
Mike’s military service included stints throughout the U.S, as Brigade Surgeon, Emergency Room Physician, Trauma and General Surgeon and Chief General Surgeon. He also served as Trauma Team Chief during Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia. In 1999 Mike left the military as a Lieutenant Colonel and went into private practice as a General Surgeon in Colorado and later in Liberal, Kansas. Mike was Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Colorado Chapter. He was a Member of the Colorado Medical Society and the Kansas Medical Society. He was also an instructor in advanced Burn Life Support and had been published in several medical journals.
Mick, as he was known to friends and family, was an active athlete – an accomplished skier, hiker, cyclist, and rugby player. He loved rock-n-roll and was known to blast music in his operating rooms. He was a talented and accomplished surgeon as well as a wonderful father, uncle, brother, son, and friend. He was funny, outgoing, a great cook, and loved to have a good time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph L. Hotard, III and Mary Elizabeth Poursine Hotard. Michael is survived by his daughter, Cessly M. Hotard; his former wife Angie and Dan Yaeger; his sister Mary Beth (Beth) and Daryl Manning; brothers James R. (Rick) and Nita Hotard, and Robert (Bob) J. and Cheryl Hotard; nieces Bryn Manning, Anne Marie Weldon, Christy Rosenfeld, Katie Steinhoff, Teresa Hotard, and Linden Hotard; and nephews Jeff Manning, Alex Manning, Rickey Hotard, and Graham Hotard.
The family would like to thank Mike’s caregivers who lovingly and diligently spent over 15 years taking care of him: Mary Martin, Rhoda (deceased) and Ronnie Golla, Juanita Hart, and Patricia Dominguez.
A memorial service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd. on April 19, 2021 at 11:00 AM beginning with a Rosary, immediately followed by Mass. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam National Cemetery (Family members only).
Due to safety concerns, we encourage you to join us online instead of in person. The Mass will be live-streamed at https://youtu.be/Uy6aH1F4kK4.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association of America. In San Antonio, please give to the Alamo Head Injury Association.