Charles Merrill "Chick" Hatch's Obituary
Charles Merrill (Chick) Hatch
Chick Hatch moved on to his next adventure in his sleep Sunday morning, June 26th, 2022. Chick had struggled with heart disease and cancer for several years. He recently had great pleasure in visiting with his family in nature’s beauty in the mountains.
Chick was born to Merrill Grover Hatch and Charlie Lee East Hatch on April 10, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Because of his father’s military service, Chick had the opportunity to live and attend school in several different locations around the U.S.A., Baumholder, Germany, and Orleans, France. He loved to learn and explore. He graduated from Lawton, Oklahoma High School in 1963 and attended the University of Utah until he joined the Air Force in 1966. He served in the Philippines as a jet engine mechanic during the Vietnam era.
Chick and Judy Jeffery met at the U of U and were married in Delta, Utah on February 10th, 1967. Their family grew through the years and included five children. They were divorced in 1991.
After serving in the Air Force, Chick and Judy moved to Logan, Utah to attend Utah State University where he received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees. His Master’s thesis, “Creating Ethnicity in the Hydraulic Village of the Mormon West” won the Mormon History Association’s Reese History Award in 1992. Chick loved research and his interest in public documents such as censuses and tax records never waned. He was involved in various history and social science organizations through the years and spent many hours transcribing documents at USU Special Collections.
He enjoyed serving as a local judge at Utah History Fairs and as a consultant for the Ronald V. Jensen Living Historical Farm near Logan.
Chick married Julie Ann Phalp in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho on September 19, 1997. They were divorced in 2004. In spite of two divorces, he remained friends with both ex-wives and they friends with each other.
Chick was preceded in death by his parents and Brothers-in-law Robert Jordan in April, 2022, and Wayne Rasmussen in May 2022.
He is survived by ex-wives Judy Jeffery Rutherford and Julie Hatch;
Sisters: Jane Hatch Jordan and Susan Hatch Rasmussen;
Sons: Joel, Ian, Ira (Tracie), and Thaddeous (Aisling) Hatch
Daughter Rachel (Aaron) Mason
Grandchildren: Lynsie (Colton) Riffel, Spencer (Tatum) Mason, Jessica Gardner, Gavin Hatch, Henry, Stanley, and Zachary Hatch, and Finn Hatch.
Great-Grandchildren: Zion, Ephriam, Austyn, and Albany Riffel; Emery Mason.
Chick did not lose his wry sense of humor. When a family member ask if there was something they could bring to the family gathering, Chick suggested “Funeral Potatoes”. We will miss him.
Condolences for the family can be shared at Premier Funeral Services, 5335 South 1950 West, Roy UT 84067
A memorial service will be announced and held in the future.
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