Colonel Joe B. Hick, MD

Colonel (Ret) Joe Bolton. Hick, MD of Columbia, South Carolina, born March 3, 1933, died March 1, 2017, due to complications following routine surgery.   While he is dearly missed by family and friends, we are comforted in his heavenly reunion with his Savior and beloved wife Pat.

Colonel Hick, the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence L. Hick, was born in Delta, Colorado.  He attended Dartmouth College, Western State College of Colorado, and in 1962 received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Colorado.  His career included more than 40 years of active and reserve component honorable service in the United States Army.   After entering the Army in 1953, Colonel Hick completed Officer Candidate School and was serving as a First Lieutenant when he left active duty in 1956 to complete his education while concurrently serving with the US Army Reserves.  After graduation from medical school and completion of a surgical residency, he joined his father in private practice as a third generation physician to serve Delta County and continued his military service in the Colorado National Guard. 

He was serving as State Surgeon for the Guard in 1977, when he returned to active duty after marrying Patricia Jordan on New Year’s Eve, 1975.  Colonel Hick’s assignments included Division Surgeon, 8th Infantry Division, Bad Kreuznach, West Germany; Corps Surgeon, V Corps, Frankfurt, West Germany; Commander Dunham Army Healthy Clinic, Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania; Commander, USA MEDDAC, Fort Meade, Maryland; Deputy Commander, 121st Evacuation Hospital and Deputy Surgeon, US Forces, Korea; Commander USA MEDDAC, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Chief, Medicine and Surgery Division and Assistant Commandant, Academy of Health Sciences, US Army.   Colonel Hick’s awards include:  The Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge.   Colonel Hick was a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians and was a recipient of the Order of Military Medical Merit.  

After retirement from the Army he served as Medical Director of the Midlands Center of the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs in Columbia.  He was an active member of Spring Valley Rotary Club and Northeast Presbyterian Church.  Earlier, Dr. Joe served as Medical Director of National Little Britches Rodeo Association. Through his church, he and Pat served with short term medical missions on Omotepe Island, Nicaraqua, and he shared his compassion and medical services to the Free Clinic as well as Juvenile Justice Center in Columbia, SC.

Colonel Hick is survived by sons, John Hick (Maggie) of Littleton, CO, and Clif Hick (Lisa) of Fruita, CO; daughters,Kim Haas (Tom) of Grand Junction, CO, and Lesli Groshong, DVM (Todd) of Boulder, CO.  Grandchildren: Zachary Hick, Logan Hick, Bolton Hick, Shawn Haas, Kylie Haas, Rachel Haas, Bennett Groshong, and Lydia Groshong,   Brother Jim Hick of Littleton, CO, and sister Marcia Spracklen of Kenniwick, WA.  

Memorial contributions can be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church, Columbia , SC

The family will have a viewing on Sunday March 5, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Kornegay & Moseley and also will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Monday March 6, 2017 at Northeast Presbyterian Church, with a  celebration of life service beginning at 2:00 pm at the church. Immediately following the service, the family will have a reception at Wildewood Downs until 4:00 pm.

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