Robert Garth Hatch

ROBERT GARTH HATCH

Cedar Rapids

Robert Garth Hatch, 66, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his three beloved children. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in 2019. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Garth (the good-looking one, not the singer) was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Robert Gordon and Margie Ethel (Henderson) Hatch on Aug. 29, 1952. He graduated from Central City Community High School and attended Kirkwood Community College for business. Garth was a man who worked many different jobs throughout his life. He spent many years as a self-employed custodian and maintenance worker, providing his services to Lancer Lanes, May City Bowl, Castle Lanes, Happy Joe's, and Dvorsky Brothers'-owned movie theaters. Garth also worked for a number of years at Kmart, Holley's Shop for Men, Killian's, Best Buy, Kelly Locator Services and ReVosWel Truss & Lumber. He retired in 2010 due to health issues. Among his many hobbies, Garth especially loved bowling, was a member of the Left Turn Only Bowling League for 10 years; fishing, he knew where to find chubs in any creek and river in the surrounding area; playing cribbage, Texas Hold 'em, Blackjack and Keno; mushroom hunting; and watching movies from his large movie collection. Garth also loved dogs (and some cats), playing Powerball, fishing for the Bait Shop, and his fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota. Everyone who knew him will remember him as a happy, generous, slightly mischievous storyteller with a quick sense of humor, large appetite, always ready with a joke or a hilarious anecdote.

Garth is survived by his daughters, Nancy (Scott) Wittstruck and Beth (Eric) Schaefer; his son, Jason (Julie) Hatch; sister, Sharon Peters; sister-in-law, Darlene Hatch; grandchildren, Grace and Margy Wittstruck, Dakotia Neer and Cayden Hatch; nieces and nephews and their families; and his many, many friends. A good friend commented, "I will pray that God is a card player and has a sense of humor."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Margie; and his brother, Larry.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Humane Society or the American Heart Association in Garth's memory.

The family would like to acknowledge the great work of the UnityPoint Health-St Luke's Inpatient Hospice, Dr. Jason Cogdill and Dr. Richard Kettelkamp and his nurse, Gina (all professionals who Garth would tell everyone saved his life many times), and all of the other caregivers who helped him live as long as he did.

Please share a memory of Garth at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.