Robert Leroy Hatch

Robert “Bob” Leroy Hatch passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on May 31st, 2024 at the age of 94. 

Bob was born on April 24th, 1930 to Constance Talbott and Alden Bruce Hatch, in Stockholm, Sweden. As legend has it, all the nurses gathered ‘round to see the only dark-haired baby in a sea of blondes. The family later moved to Moscow, Idaho, where Bob and his younger siblings, Huntington and Barbara, spent their childhood. 

An avid hobbyist all his life, Bob took an interest in aircraft at an early age, learning to build intricate balsa wood gliders and planes. His enduring fascination with steam locomotives, automobiles, and photography also began as a young boy. Bob graduated from Moscow High School in 1948. After enrolling at the University of Idaho, he was drafted into the US Army, where he served as a military photographer in Germany for two years. 

He returned to the U of I to study commercial art, and was the first graduate to complete his senior thesis with a focus in photography. It was there, in an art class, that he met the love of his life, Mary Snow. Bob and Mary wed in 1956 and over the next several years had their four children.

After graduating, Bob worked as a professional photographer with Libby and Son in Spokane before moving his young family to Seattle in 1960, where he worked for Northwestern Hobby and Toy, Inc for the next ten years. He then began his career in fine art materials sales, first with M. Grumbacher and then Princeton Art and Brush, traveling extensively and becoming a leading expert in the field of artists’ paintbrushes.

Bob’s passion for airplanes continued throughout his life. He loved nothing more than designing and building model planes, which he flew in free-flight and radio control competitions. His detailed and exquisite models are a testament to his craftsmanship and artistic talent. Bob also lovingly restored his ‘47 MG TC, which he and Mary enjoyed touring across the PNW. 

When he wasn’t tinkering on planes, trains, or cars, he loved playing with his four kids: water and snow skiing, boating, flying gliders, and spending time outdoors. Bob’s favorite place in the world was Lake Coeur d’Alene, and he spent his summers there boating, skiing, fishing, enjoying the company of close friends, and flying his float planes. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and husband who lived his 94 years with enthusiasm and humor. He will be sorely missed. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Snow, his children, Chris, Tim (Laurene), Jon (Ann) and Suzanne (David), his five grandchildren, Kevin, Madeline, Jamie, Perri, Isabel, and his two treasured kitties. 

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at The Skyway Cafe in Spokane, on September 14, 2024, at 4pm.