Ted Hatch

Ted C. Hatch, 76, died April 18, 2010. He was born Dec. 29, 1933, in Vernal, Utah, to Bus Hatch and Eva Caldwell Hatch.

Mr. Hatch grew up in Vernal, and graduated from Uintah High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After the war, he earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Utah. On Aug. 7, 1960, he married Patricia Bruce.

Mr. Hatch began his teaching career at the Ashley Valley Junior High, and then moved on to Manila High School where he later became the principal. In 1967, he left teaching and he and his brother, Don, took over the family's river-running business. In 1977, the brothers split Hatch River Expeditions, and Ted Hatch took over the Grand Canyon division. Mr. Hatch had great success running Hatch River Expeditions in the Grand Canyon, and was instrumental to the development of the river-running industry. Greatly respected and admired by his peers and employees, people naturally gravitated to him to learn from his experience and listen to his stories of the river.

Mr. Hatch was an avid pilot and flew every chance he could get. He served on the Utah State Aeronautical Committee for several years, and was a 30-year member of the AOPA. Flying was one of his great passions; he truly loved his Cessna 210. Another great love was his powerboat; he passed many days on Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Lake Powell with his wife and family.

An avid boater, he enjoyed running rivers in his dory, and rafting with his family. His enthusiasm and passion for whitewater is legendary in the river-running community. His final trip was last summer on the Main Salmon River in Idaho. He rowed his own boat, and was accompanied by his wife, sons, and grandchildren.

Mr. Hatch always had a smile on his face. He was generous and fun-loving and quick with a joke. He will be best remembered as a true river runner who lived his life to fullest. He was a friend to many and his kind, cheerful nature will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Hatch is survived by his loving wife Pat; sons Bruce Hatch of Vernal and Steve (Sarah) Hatch of Marble Canyon; daughter Susan Wadley of Vernal; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother Frank Hatch of Salt Lake City; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Bus and Eva Hatch; brothers Don, Gus, and Foy Hatch; and one nephew.

A service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Western Park, 300 E. 200 S., in Vernal. Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Vernal Mortuary, 15 E. 100 N., in Vernal.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.