Robert James Hatch, 81, of Willow Street, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, at Oak Leaf Manor South in Millersville, Pennsylvania. The youngest of four children, Bob was born on March 13, 1944, in Towanda, PA, to Otis and Florence (Molyneux) Hatch, and raised on the family farm outside of Dushore, PA. He graduated from Loyalsock Area High School in 1962 and joined the United States Army, following in his older brothers' footsteps. After basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and training to become a television and radio repairman, Private Hatch was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Soon after, he was reassigned to Southport, North Carolina, and for the remainder of his almost three-year Army tour he was part of a small crew of soldiers who provided recreational deep-sea fishing trips to service members from Fort Bragg on Army J-boats off the coast of the Atlantic. The ocean and ships of all sizes would have a pull on him for the rest of his life.

After discharge from the Army, Bob returned home to Sullivan County, PA, where, in December of 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Virginia Ann Baumunk, with whom he would share nearly 60 years. The newlyweds relocated to Lancaster County and Bob took a job with RCA. After moving to Willow Street in 1967 and the home they never left, they created a life in which they raised two children, explored the world, and encouraged learning and hard work. Family camping trips up and down the East coast, vacations at Rehoboth, Chincoteague and Cape May, along with numerous visits to Colonial Williamsburg provided lasting happy memories. Deep friendships and travel with the Royers and Davelers were treasured.

A talented woodworker, Bob spent countless nights in his basement workshop, turning out an incredible amount of furniture and crafts that continue to grace their home and the homes of his children, grandchildren, and friends. Along with his wife, who often helped finish or paint his project (or provide critical input and guidance), he created a home where literally everywhere you look, you see the results of his efforts in that small basement shop.

While raising his family and continuing his career at RCA, Bob earned two degrees, one night class at a time, over the course of 20 years. He used his GI Bill to earn first his Associate's Degree in 1976, and later, in 1988, his Bachelor's in Business Administration, both from Franklin and Marshall College. His curiosity, perseverance, and commitment to life-long learning served as an inspiration to his children. Bob continued to flourish at RCA, rising to become a senior buyer, and ultimately, contracts administrator for RCA, and later, Burle Industries, from which he retired in 2006. While at RCA, he traveled to Poland, prior to the fall of Communism in that country, to help with the construction of a television manufacturing plant in Warsaw.

After retirement, Bob and Virginia embarked on even more travel: across the country together and with their "Willow Street Gang," internationally to England to visit dear friends, the Morrisons, and to Switzerland with longtime travel companions, the Thorntons. Their travels also encompassed homecomings. They embarked on the construction of a log cabin in Shunk, Sullivan County, where for the last 25 years, the family has gathered again and again to make memories and remain connected with their roots. The late-night clatter and clacking of cutthroat dominoes games mixed with Bob's laughter will be forever remembered.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, as well as his brothers, David and Sidney. He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife, Virginia, and their two children: Jeffrey (Jennifer) Hatch of Peach Bottom, PA; and Jeniffer Potter of Lancaster, PA. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Arlu Ross of New Albany, PA, sisters-in-law, Janet Hatch of New Albany, PA and Marjorie Baumunk of Montoursville, PA, brother-in-law, Charles (Ruth) Baumunk, of Forksville, PA, and many nieces and nephews. He was a devoted grandfather to Emelyn (wife of John Paul West of Oxford, PA), Eleanor (wife of Charles Canby of Halethorpe, MD), Holland Hatch, and Ella Potter. He will be remembered for his thoughtfulness, wisdom, quick wit, his devotion to family and friends, and his ability to fix anything, whether it was a Triumph TR-3, a leaky pipe, or a broken heart.

There will be visitation at the Charles F. Snyder III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, on Saturday, October 18th from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. A memorial service will immediately follow at 2:30.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Bob's memory, or to Hospice and Community Care of Lancaster County. The family also thanks the staff at Oak Leaf Manor South and Ascend Hospice for their care and support. Those who cannot attend are encouraged to mix a Manhattan (on the rocks) of generous size and proportion and raise it in the general direction of Willow Street.