Richard Leavitt Hilton Jr., who taught biology for 30 years at Towson University, died of a heart attack Sunday at St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 69 and lived in Towson.

Dr. Hilton was born in Fall River, Mass., and raised in Manchester, Conn., and Providence, R.I. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1958 and a master's degree in botany in 1960 from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. In 1968, he earned his doctorate in phycology from the University of Arizona.

Dr. Hilton joined the faculty of what was then Towson State College in 1972, and remained as a professor of biology until his death. During his tenure, he had also served stints as department chairman.

Dr. Hilton enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and collecting American coins.

Plans for services were incomplete yesterday.

Dr. Hilton is survived by his wife of 42 years, the former Sylvia Breaznell; two sons, Richard L. Hilton III of Bel Air and Christopher Hilton of Staunton, Va.; a daughter, Leslie Hilton of Towson; two brothers, Gary Hilton of North Reading, Mass., and Lance Hilton of Fayetteville, N.C.; two sisters, Sandra Lee of Canterbury, N.H., and Deborah Power of Acton, Mass.; and two grandchildren.