Robert W. Hatch

He was born in Boston, November 16, 1924 the son of the late Eugene and Gertrude Smith Hatch. He graduated from Melrose High School and enrolled at Boston University. Bob 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 masters 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.

Bob was a member of the Lewiston & 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, served as president of the New England College Football Coaches Association from 1971 to 1973. Bob was inducted in the Melrose High School Sports Hall of Fame, the L&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.; 3 grandchildren, Jimmy Letteney and wife Jacque, Julie Hatch and Karston Long; sisters, Hazel Pepper of Clearwater, Florida and Cynthia Allen of Jefferson, Maine.

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

Visitation at Fortin/Auburn Friday from 4 to 8 PM. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 11 AM at the funeral home. Those wishing may make donations in his memory to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, 55 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240 or the Robert Wilson Hatch Scholarship Fund at Bates College, Lewiston, ME. 04240. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Hatch family by visiting their guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com. A service of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, Auburn, 217 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210