Robert John Hatch, age 38, passed away Monday, May 2, at his home after a valiant and courageous fight with cancer. Robert was born October 2, 1966, in Salt Lake City. He is the son of Kendall and Marva Hatch. He attended Olympus High School and was an all-state football player, later going on to play at the University of Utah. In 1986, Robert married his soul mate, Andrea vom Dorp, and together they produced three miracles, Casey (18), Alexi (15), and Mitchell (12). Robert loved his family first and foremost. He mentored them, shared his life lessons, coached little league teams, never missed a game, and cheered for them all the way. He was also a great athlete and outdoorsman. He loved fishing and golfing and spent countless hours with his children on the Green River. He will be greatly missed by all of those whose life he touched. Robert is survived by his loving wife, his adoring children, his parents, his brother, Mark (Teresa), sister, Allison Nielsen (Tod), and brother, Michael (Melissa), three nieces and three nephews, a large and loving extended family, and his dog, Sage. Memorial services will be held Friday, May 6, at 12 noon at Cottonwood Heights Stake Center, 6890 S Whitmore Way (2225 E), where friends are invited to visit beginning at 10:30 a.m. A viewing will also be held Thursday, May 5, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, from 7 - 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, it is Robert's wish that a donation be made to your local high school athletic program. His life was shaped greatly by his experiences in athletics and he wanted to make sure future generations share the same opportunity to grow through sports. A trust fund has been established for his children's education. Donations can be made to the Robert Hatch Children's Fund, and sent to P.O. Box 711292, Salt Lake City, UT 84171-1292.

Published 4 May 2005 in The Salt Lake Tribune (UT)