Robert B. Hatch

After a long hard-fought battle with Lewy Body Dementia, Robert Brown Hatch of Acton and Boca Raton entered into eternal rest Thursday, September 8th at his home with his wife and children by his side.

Bob was born February 9th, 1944, in Waltham to Rexford and Irene (Houde) Hatch. His father owned and operated Silver Hill Poultry Farm in Weston where Bob lived his first 12 years of life. Bob's mother passed just short of his 5th birthday from breast cancer. Bob's father remarried and Anthony, Teresita and James were born. Bob shared many happy memories of growing up in Weston. In 1957 the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Michele was born.

In 1959, the family moved back to Massachusetts and settled in Waltham. Bob met Sandy Horne in 1960 through a mutual Waltham High School friend, Carol Wheeler Cardillo who remains a good friend to this day. Bob and Sandy were married in Hudson, MA in 1962 and in July of 1962, Bob joined the Air Force. They lived for several months in Wichita Falls, TX where their oldest son Kenneth was born while Bob was in school for training to be an aircraft mechanic. Bob's remainder of time in the Air Force was spent at Dover Air Force Base where their second son David was born. They lived in Frederica, Delaware until Bob left the military in July of 1966 and the family moved back to Waltham where they lived until moving to Sudbury in 1980 where they resided until 2004. Bob and Sandy then moved to Hudson, MA and just last year to Acton. They also enjoyed many winter's at their home in Boca Raton.

Bob leaves Sandra Horne Hatch, his devoted wife of 60 years and sons Kenneth L. Hatch of Marlborough, David W. Hatch (Anne) of Hudson, and James M. Hatch of Framingham along with grandchildren Christopher Hatch (Caitlin), Andrew Hatch, Joshua Hatch, Kristina Hatch, and great-granddaughter Fiona Hatch; his half-sister, Teresita "Teri" Bove of Framingham; his cousin Lawrence "Larry" Hatch of Cantonment, Florida and many nieces and nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Rexford and Irene (Houde) Hatch and his half-brothers and sister, Anthony, James and Mary Michele Hatch.

Bob had a lifelong passion for cars which he turned into a successful business, Hatch & Sons Automotive which he founded with his wife Sandy, and sons Ken and Jim in 1987 and ran up until his retirement several years ago. He was well known for his extensive knowledge of vintage Mercedes-Benz and his willingness to share information with other enthusiasts. Hatch & Sons had received many awards from local and national shows at locations including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island. Bob's significant contributions to the vintage Mercedes community carry on through the many customers, employees, and peers that he worked with over the years.

Bob was proud of his service in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966 and his twenty-year career at Xerox Corporation before leaving to open Hatch & Sons. Bob was very athletic and also played ice hockey for a number of years earning him a separated shoulder in the process. Bob also enjoyed playing softball up until several years ago when he broke his ankle running to base but managed to play 2 more innings. He was the 2012 MVP of EMASS Senior which he was very proud of. Bob and Sandy also enjoyed their friendship with the members of Team Pilota where Bob had the opportunity to race his Ferrari Challenge car at events for a number of years.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bob's life by gathering to visit at 10 am. on Tuesday, October 4th in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by his funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Those wishing to view the livestream (and recording) of Bob's service may do so by visiting https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-hatch

Our family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Stephen N. Gomperts at Massachusetts General Hospital who was Bob's doctor in charge of his care and is also the founding director of the MGH Lewy Body Dementia Unit. Doctor Gomperts was always available to Sandy, with answers and advice as she and Bob struggled with this disease.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's honor to "The MGH Lewy Body Fund" and mailed to the Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, Attention: Kylie Baruffi.

Donations can also be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/ Please be sure to indicate that the gift is a tribute gift in honor of Bob. To do so, please follow the link and click on Donate Now, then check the box under Additional Details: I'd like to designate this gift to a specific program or area. Then specify: Designation: The MGH Lewy Body Fund in honor of Robert Hatch.