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Free at last. Randy has shucked off his broken body and shuttered mind and is standing tall in Paradise! Randall Clinton Hatch, born October 15, 1951, died May 26, 2016 of late effects of radiation therapy. He died in his bed surrounded by loving family singing him home.
Randy had an idyllic childhood with parents, George Clinton Hatch and Wilda Gene Glasmann Hatch and siblings Michell Arnow, Diane Orr, Jeffrey (Peggy) Hatch, and Deepika Aventi (Carlos Ogsbury). Life was full of fly fishing, cut-throat Monopoly games, and marathon reading. He graduated from East High, where he was a state champion debater, and a state finalist Sterling Scholar. He studied piano, and accomplished his goal of reading every book in his Dad’s extensive library.
Randy began his university studies at Stanford, majoring in piano performance. He found his testimony of Christ while in Basic Training for the National Guard. Afterwards, he served an LDS mission in Chile. Randy’s mission taught him to love people who were different than he and to want to know their stories
He received his BA from the University of Utah, with Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa honors, then earned an MBA and Masters of Journalism from Columbia University. Randy married his high school sweetheart, Ann Darger, in the Salt Lake temple. He was always a proud Mormon Democrat.
Randy began his career at The Salt Lake Tribune before moving to the Ogden Standard Examiner where he was Managing Editor, and then Editor and Publisher. Randy faced life with a combination of a journalist’s irreverence and a Christian’s reverence. During his tenure, the Standard won many state and regional awards for excellence. Randy served as President of the Regional Associated Press group and of the Utah Society of Professional Journalism. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Utah Journalism Dept., and twice served on the Pulitzer Prize selection committee for journalism.
Randy was active in the Ogden community, sitting on the advisory boards of McKay Dee Hospital, the Ogden School District, and Union Station. He was a charter member of the board of the Eccles Dinosaur Park. Randy helped start the gifted and talented program in the Ogden School District and was its President for two terms. He was twice Presidents of the board of the Utah Natural History Museum. For many people, though, he was best known for always riding his bicycle around Ogden, regardless of the weather, at least 2 decades before bicycle commuting became fashionable.
In 1984, Randy was diagnosed with an inoperable and terminal brain tumor. Against all odds, he survived the cancer, but within ten years side-effects of the radiation therapy were becoming devastating. Randy spent the last 23 years of his life very disabled, but was patient and affectionate and maintained his quirky sense of humor until the end.
Randy is survived by his children: Sarah (Jacob) Pollard, George (Raiha Chase), William (Julia Parker), Spencer (Catheryn Barber), Robert, and Thomas. He also leaves behind his stalwart wife, Ann, nine precocious grandchildren, many precious in-laws, and loyal friend Lon Clayton.
Please don’t send flowers to commemorate Randy’s passing. Contributions to the Utah Museum of Natural History, the LDS Humanitarian Fund, or to his final expenses (https://www.youcaring.com/the-family-of-randy-hatch-577295) are appreciated instead.
Memorial services will be Saturday June 11th at 11:30 at Randy’s ward; 2125 E. Evergreen Ave. Friends and family may call at the same location on Thursday June 9th from 6:00 to 7:30, and an hour before the funeral.
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Richard Warner
Randy has fought the good fight and finished his course...
May echoes of his love
fill the quiet chambers of your heart
forever.
Jane Stephenson (Johnson)
Randy and Ann were two of my favorite people because of their positive upbeat personalities. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jane Stephenson Johnson
Karen Cook (Velasti)
Reading this about Randy, I can't help but think of how much I missed out of by not really knowing him. I'm so happy to have had the chance to speak to Ann recently though. What a wonderful person. I know she has the strength of character, tested by an abundance of challenges, and a serenity of faith, based on a depth of wisdom, which will give her the fortitude to not only deal with her loss but to also help her loved ones to do so. My thoughts, prayers and love to you and your family, Ann.
Robert Weyher
Ann and Family,
Randy was and will remain a very bright star. He had a great impact on me and made every class I took with him very enjoyable and more interesting because of his quick wit and insights. The Hatch home on 15th East was always a place of fun and interesting conversation, quite unique. His love of you Ann was so strong and is enduring still. I am sure he had the same bountiful affection for each of your children. Wishing you peace and my love to you all.
Robert
David Busath
Dear Ann (and Family),
My fond memories of high school days with you and Randy were stirred by this beautiful obituary. I was even more touched by how much I didn't know about "the rest of the story." Thank you Randy. Thank you Ann. -Dave
Eliot Brinton
Randy Hatch was truly one of the great minds at East High! He was also fun-loving and so wonderful with Ann and his many other friends from the debate team and other activities. As impressive as were Randy and Ann back then, they became even more remarkable over the years, both in further developing and employing those high school talents, but also in standing tall against incredible adversity. Randy did this not just once, but time after time, coming back after devastating tragedy that would have broken any ordinary human being. Randy's life has been the closest to that of Job as anyone I am likely ever to know (and that minus Job's happy mortal ending!). I salute Randy for a life of great and diverse accomplishment, not only as the world would judge it, but more importantly, within his church and his family. In the same breath, I also salute our classmate and Randy's sweetheart, Ann Darger Hatch for her amazing patience and loving support of Randy throughout both the much good and the lengthy trials of their life together. Randy is now enjoying the ability to look at his family and us from the perspective of a well-deserved healthy and happy paradise! Randy, we love you and miss you!
Kathryn Esplin (Esplin-Oleski)
I knew Randy in '83 when he was managing editor for the Standard-Examiner. I was reporting on the closing of the Native American school in Utah from my location in Washington, D.C., for the Standard-Examiner. He was very nice and a consummate professional.
Sherri Moore (Coles)
High school was such a happy time for me, in part because of Ann and Randy. I spent hours and hours laughing with and learning from these 2 dear friends. Their lives were full of trials, but they managed to find the joy and laugh at the absurdities. The light of faith was always part of who they were/are. They also have a child with disabilities, as do I. This presents different kinds of joy and challenges. Randy and Ann found the joy of having this precious child. They are both my heros! Love you Ann.
Cordell Clinger
I have fond memories of Randy and Ann at East. They set the example of academic excellence. Plus, they didnot have the agony of getting dates and doing things on the weekends. They were always together. I have memories of Randy, Ann and Sherri More (Coles) laughing and have great times on the front steps of East during modules as well as in the Resource Center with Mrs. Davies looking at you to keep quiet. Those were good times. I add my condolences to the many others that will be coming to you from friends and family all over the country. Randy had an impressive outreach. His memory and influence will be cherished.
Your friend,
Cordell Clinger
Robert Young
Randy was hard to find, easy to lose and impossible to forget. Randy you are now free of this imperfect World to enjoy your perfection in a realm of unconditional love and joy. Welcome Home! I will see you there soon but not yet. Love and blessings to your beloved family, Robert