Robert W. Hatch
1924 – 2010

LEWISTON — Robert W. Hatch, 85, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 14, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Boston, Nov. 16, 1924, the son of the late Eugene and Gertrude Smith Hatch. He graduated from Melrose High School and enrolled at Boston University. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines during World War II as a paratrooper in the South Pacific. Upon the completion of his military duties he returned to B.U. and graduated in 1949. He completed his master’s degree in education at B.U. in 1955.

He served as head football coach at Bates College for 24 years. He was named assistant athletic director and served from 1965 to 1973. He then served as athletic director from 1973 to 1991, when he retired. He was instrumental in bringing Title IX to Bates College long before it was mandated.

He was a member of the Lewiston and Auburn Rotary Club for many years. He served on the executive board of the Division 3 NCAA and past president and executive board member of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association and served as president of the New England College Football Coaches Association from 1971 to 1973. He was inducted in the Melrose High School Sports Hall of Fame, the L and A Sports Hall of Fame as well as the State of Maine Sports Hall of Fame and the B.U. Sports Hall of Fame.

As hobbies, he enjoyed woodworking and was a master woodcrafter and made furniture for his home, enjoyed playing bridge with his wife and going on trips to Foxwoods and Las Vegas.

He is survived by two daughters, Lynda Letteney and husband, Jim, of Waldoboro and Karen Long and husband, Dave, of Stoneham, Mass.; a son, Mike Hatch and wife, Cynthia, of Gilmanton Iron Works, N.H.; three grandchildren, Jimmy Letteney and wife, Jacque, Julie Hatch and Karston Long; and sisters, Hazel Pepper of Clearwater, Fla., and Cynthia Allen of Jefferson.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Lorraine Karston Hatch March 11, 2009.