Clyde Hatch, 1920-2016

Published 8:58 am Monday, November 21, 2016

Clyde Francis Hatch died peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at his home in Apple Valley.  He was 96. Clyde was born Feb. 25, 1920, in Curlew, Iowa, the first of two children of Floyd Francis Hatch and Rebecca Marion Stratton. Proud of his U.S. ancestry — stretching back to the early 17th century — Clyde was grandson of Alanson Abbott Hatch and Bertha Viola Covell and Frank Stratton and Ursula Hall.

After graduating from Curlew High School, Clyde married Ruth Eileen Christiansen Oct. 29, 1938. The following year, they moved to Humboldt as owners of the Avalon Cafe and two years later to Algona. In 1942, the family moved to Albert Lea, where they lived for over 60 years. A veteran of World War II, Clyde worked as a salesman at Motor Supply Company for 42 years; he won several national awards that took them to Bermuda, New York and the Bahamas.  For many years Clyde and Ruth spent summers at their cabin on Beaver Lake and after retirement they spent winters in Florida, Texas and Arizona.  They moved to The Rivers in Burnsville in May 2006. After Ruth died July 1, 2008, Clyde moved to The Keystone in Eagan.  He made many friends, including Gale Feely, before moving to Wood Hill in Roseville in November 2015 and most recently to Augustana in Apple Valley.

Clyde was active in a number of organizations, including the Elks and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Following a long family tradition, he was also a dedicated Mason for over 60 years. During these years he served as president of the Shrine Club in Albert Lea and later became a compatriot of the Sons of the American Revolution. For those who knew him, Clyde enjoyed conversation, home projects, growing tomatoes, cooking legendary soup, making world-class ice cream and collecting clippings for his endless notebooks. An athlete since high school, he was a natural at golf and bowling, but particularly enjoyed puttering in the garage, fishing and for many years was an avid supporter of high school wrestling. One of his most enduring projects was building the field-stone walls that terraced their cabin at Beaver Lake. The rows of stone still stand. As a salesman, Clyde had the gift of gab, but spoke sparingly at home. A glance from his blue eyes — with a smile or a shrug — spoke clearly and often with eloquence. In personality, Clyde balanced patience and loyalty with a gentle mix of skepticism and blarney. He was a generous, tolerant and kind man.  Just before his 77th birthday Clyde became a Friend of Bill on Jan. 25 1997. In later years he continued to enjoy his Copenhagen but only as he said on occasion.

Clyde was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his son, Larry Lee Hatch of Curlew Iowa; his parents Floyd and Becky; and his sister, B. Darlene Bunkofske of Nixa, Missouri. 

Clyde is survived by three sons and their families, Jerry and Linda Hatch of Great Falls, Montana, Ken and LaVonne Hatch of Lakeville and Bob Hatch and Sue Woolsey, Dunedin, Florida; two grandsons, Mark Hatch of Washington, D.C. and David Hatch of Billings, Montana; and three granddaughters, Kellie and Ken Lewis of Lakeville, Michelle Hatch of Eagan and Tracy and Jeff Davis of Apple Valley. There have been 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Final arrangements are being made by the Minnesota Cremation Society, and the scattering of ashes will be at Beaver Lake and Rush Lake Cemetery in Curlew. Family and friends are invited to make memorial contributions to Hospice of the Twin Cities.