Herbert Hatch passed away quietly at the Christian Health Care Center on March 7, 2017. He was 95.
A military graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Lakeside Cemetery on Pangborn Road followed by a church service at Sumas Advent Christian at noon.
He was born in Nooksack to Milton and Ruth Hatch on Feb. 9, 1922. He attended first through eighth grades at Clearbrook Grade School and his freshman year at Nooksack-Everson High School. In 1941 his family moved to Bellingham where he graduated from Bellingham High School in 1941.
In 1942 he was drafted by the U.S. Army Air Force. He spent his boot training in California and was sent to England on the RMS Queen Mary and was stationed the balance of his career at a U.S. Army Air Force base in England. After the war in Europe and shortly after Japan surrendered, he was given an honorable discharge and was transported home via the RMS Queen Mary, passing by the Statue of Liberty.
He worked three years for Georgia-Pacific Plywood where he met and married his first wife, Ruth Pirrung, in June 1947. They had two daughters, Carol and Nancy.
On July 22, 1957, Herb was employed by Bellingham Parks Department. After a successful 20 years, he retired on April 30, 1984.
Succeeding years were spent traveling with Ruth until she died in 1997. In October 1999 he met and married his current wife, Jan Tyrrell, and moved back to Sumas. They had 17 wonderful years together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold, first wife Ruth, daughter Nancy in 1973 and daughter Caroline in 1974.
He is survived by his wife Jan; sister Doris (Oscar) DeVries; brothers Leonard (Rita) Hatch and Kenneth (Linda) Hatch. He is also survived by his second family Joe (Paula) Jorgensen, Jeri (Lorri) Jorgensen, grandchildren Jamie and Josh Ross, Jeromy and Kristin Jorgensen and great-grandchildren Ally, Emma, Surayaya and Keagan, who lovingly call him “Grandpa Hoobie.”
You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
