Robert W. Hatch was born on August 8, 1930 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Francis and Wilma Hatch. He passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior at 10:45 p.m. on April 19, 2016.
Robert came to know the Lord on January 12, 1947, when presented with the gospel by W.A. Upton (a man in his 80's) who was making door-to-door calls sharing the gospel. Robert, his mother, brother and sister all accepted the Lord. Brother Upton moved to a nursing home shortly after leading them to the Lord. Robert was so concerned about his Father's spiritual condition, that at 17 years of age he saved enough money to pay for an airplane ticket for Brother Upton to fly back to Minneapolis and share the gospel with his Dad. Robert's Dad accepted Christ, also.
The Hatch family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1948. Robert worked at his father's drugstore (Hatch's Drug Store) at 8th and Colorado Blvd. Robert had been working for his Dad at the drug store that the family owned in Minneapolis from the time he was 5 years old and continued working for his dad until 1962.
In the meantime, after relocating to Denver, at the age of 19, Robert's family attended a Bible Church where he met the love of his life, Alice Mae James. Robert joined the United States Navy and served in active duty during the Korean War aboard the USS Missouri. After being discharged from the Navy, he married Alice Mae on November 21, 1953.
Robert and Alice had five children: Katrina, Colleen, Linda, Robert and Matthew.
While raising his family and working, Robert graduated from The University of Denver with a business degree.
In March 1963, Robert opened an innovative card and gift store in Boulder, Colorado, which soon blossomed into a chain of stores spread across sixteen states.
Robert placed baskets of free "Little Bibles" next to each cash register at his stores to witness to his customers. Over time, the Little Bibles became a world-wide ministry with over a million being distributed to all parts of the globe.
After selling his stores, Robert began working with his son, Robert II, at a law firm. While traveling to and from the law firm, Robert ministered to homeless people in downtown Denver, and gave each of them a dollar tucked into one of his Little Bibles. He gave each of them his attention too, often for long periods of time, which often followed with a tour of the law firm and his elaborate office that looked like a museum.
On April 22, 2014, Robert spent his last day doing the things he loved...working and loving his family. On the morning of April 23, 2014, Robert suffered a series of strokes, which completely paralyzed his right side and impaired his speech. Not being a quitter, Robert fought hard to recover from this setback and never stopped witnessing to everyone he encountered. Doctors, nurses, counselors, and janitors could all expect to be singled-out for a conversation they would not soon forget.
His long and difficult journey came to an end on April 19, 2016 in his home, surrounded by many of those he loved. He finished his race with courage, dignity and devotion.
Robert is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Alice Mae, his children Katrina (Jim), Colleen (Robert), Linda, Robert (Dianna), Matthew (Lisa), grandchildren, all of whom love the Lord, Serina, Audra, Jillian, Robert Allen, Andrew, Luke, Grant, Robert Wayne III, Sarah, John, Victoria, Taylor and David; and great-grandchildren Brock, Nathan, Bryce, Leah, Brynley, Brady, Phoebe, Josiah, Olive, Timothy, Elliana, Opal and Kaileb. He is also survived by his older brother Francis Hatch, Jr. (Mary) and his younger sister Barbara Peek. He will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers, please send any gifts to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, as Robert had a special love for the Jewish people and the state of Israel.