Robert C. Hatfield

HATFIELD, Robert C., age 77, passed peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, March 03, 2026. He is the beloved husband of Karen Hatfield (nee Switzer) for 54 years. They were married on June 12, 1971, after meeting in 1965 at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where he earned a Bachelor of Music in string bass performance (1971) and a Masters in Music Theory (1973). Bob worked as a music director/organist/choir director for multiple Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for over 40 years. His first position was at St. George in Clifton, then St. Clement in St. Bernard, followed by Our Lady of Lourdes in Western Hills and finally Nativity in Pleasant Ridge. Bob also played with big bands, rock bands, folk groups and wedding bands throughout his extensive music career, as well as teaching music theory and co-wrote the book "The Pastoral Guitarist," for liturgical guitarists. Working as a team, at one point, he and Karen performed the music at over 200 weddings a year.

Robert is the devoted father of Stephanie and the late Michael Robert, loving father-in-law of Amanda and devoted grandfather of Evan and Avery. Robert is the dear brother of Barbara Hatfield, Karen Hatfield MacDonald and the late Richard Hatfield. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial visitation will take place at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 210 Jefferson Avenue, St. Bernard, OH, 45217, on Saturday, March 14th, from 11am until the Memorial Service at 12 Noon with a Celebration of Life gathering in the Fellowship Hall from 12:30pm-2pm.