Jerry Clyde Hatch died in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana. He was 84 years old. He died from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. The first of three surviving children of Clyde Francis Hatch and Ruth Eileen Christiansen, Jerry was born on June 3, 1940, in Humboldt, Iowa, and spent his early life in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Grandson of Floyd Francis Hatch and Rebecca Marion Stratton, and Nels Christiansen and Caroline Hansen, he traced his paternal ancestors to 16th-century County Kent (and Cambridge), and his maternal line to early 18th-century Denmark.
Capable and confident, Jerry was a sturdy and assertive soul and a distinguished educator. Known to friends as strong and independent, he was at heart a small town midwestern boy who fell in love with the Wild West. During his earliest years on Ulstad Avenue in Albert Lea, Jerry enjoyed riding bikes and ice skating but soon became passionate about hunting and fishing. Following WWII, Ulstad was created by veteran families building new homes and new lives. Baby Boomers ran the place. When not shooting buckets or giving pink bellies, they walked the train tracks out to Skunk Hill to build forts, play army, and pick wild asparagus. In later years an adult asked Jerry “Why does wild asparagus grow in straight rows?” Smiling, he pointed to the telephone lines that ran along the tracks: “Birds perch then they poop.” Earthy but true.
Jerry’s early years prepared him for a full life. As an elder Boomer, Jerry was the “Bull” to his friends—Woodside, Greene, Porter, Tasker—all skilled at hunting and trapping. While outdoor activities defined the day, kids saluted the flag at midnight when the TV signed-off. Saturday mornings meant cartoons, Sky King, and Jerry’s signature “Blue Bowl” with bananas and cream. Homemade eggnogs were an occasional treat. A quick learner, he was good at playing chess and cards, skilled with his jigsaw and crystal set, and as time unfolded, he became an Eagle Scout, B-squad wrestler, and leader of the debate team. Here his interest shaped his friendships with Mike Prosser, Tony Gudvangen, and Paul Ell. High school also meant hot rods, dragging Broadway, and painting names on a growing number of cars—the Blue Goose, Gray Ghost, Gutless Ghost, and Frisky (two blown motors).
Academic ability and hard work opened doors for an aspiring educator. After graduating from Albert Lea Central High School (1958), he entered Mankato State College (1958-1962) with a BS and MS in Education. Taking additional night classes, his family continued to grow with two sons, Mark Daniel Hatch (1963), and David Matthew Hatch (1965). During this time, he taught 4 years at St. Clair, Minnesota (1961-1966), English and drama, directing a memorable student production of “Our Town.” In 1966 he packed the family in his Chevy wagon and moved to Great Falls, Montana. One year later, he was appointed Dean of Boys by Montana School District 1, C.M. Russell High School, teaching Speech, Debate, and Drivers Education. Continuing his academic course work, he was promoted to Administrative Assistant (1978-1985) and Assistant Superintendent (1985-1999). He re-married in Spring 1983, Linda Quinn Folsom, teacher, Mental Health Center Administrator, and devoted life partner. Over the decades, Jerry’s administrative duties were interwoven with consulting projects and workshops that took him all over the West Coast. As age made mountains more formidable, his key hobby became financial investments. Always a good listener, Jerry was never happier than sharing conversations and a cigarette. His best friend was Rory Fagenstrom. When blizzards hit Montana Jerry would call him and say “Wanna go outside and play?” Hard to imagine two boys and two chained 4X4s.
Jerry seldom showed self-doubt. As the oldest son and father of two boys, as Eagle Scout and star of college debate, his life-long obsession was the out of doors. No one planned better expeditions; no one was a better shot with a rifle. An active family man, few fathers have spent more time with their sons, talking and teaching, hunting and fishing, dirt-biking and snowmobiling. No one is entitled. But he made a good life for his family; he had a full life; he lived in a trailer; he worked hard and was frugal; he parachuted out of airplanes; he had advanced degrees; he was a life-long Mason; he twice visited Europe with family and siblings; he made good investments; he always loved Maid-Rites and Buffalo Pie. And yes, an alpha male; but untouched by bourgeois delusions of a perfect chocolate cookie or unlimited Disney Channels. His humor is memorable. Working at a car wash in college, a customer accidentally closed the trunk on his head. When the customer tried to offer him fifty cents, Jerry held out a fiver and said: “No thanks. Now it’s your turn.”
Jerry Hatch was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruth Hatch (Lakeville, MN); his infant older brother, Larry Lee Hatch (Curlew, IA); and Kenneth Hatch, Lakeville, MN. Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda Quinn Folsom Hatch, Great Falls, MT; 2 sons, Mark Daniel Hatch, Billings, MT; David Matthew Hatch, Billings, MT; former wife, Evelyn Jo Woods Hatch, Billings; 1 brother, Robert Alan Hatch & Sue Heflin Woolsey, Dunedin, FL, 2 grandchildren, Jessica Nicole Hatch Crevier (Tanner S. Crevier), Billings, MT; and Anthony (Tony) Michael Hatch (Kyah Demaree), Billings. There are 4 great-grandchildren.
