Russell Ray Hatch
March 13, 1943 - July 7, 2023
Russell Ray Hatch was born 3-13-43 in a farmhouse near Central City. He married Virginia Chudzinski 6-22-63 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stone City, Iowa. Now married 60 years.
He served in the Army as a Military policeman December 1965 to December 1968. He was a patrolman on the Cedar Rapids Police Depart. March 1969 to Aug. 1976. But he really enjoyed his police work in the helicopter Aug. 1976 to Sept. 2000.
He worked in the Boy Scout Shop May 2003 to Dec. 2008.
He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church.
He worked with Boy Scouts about 40 years. During that time, he was a scoutmaster. He was Red Duty in the Order of the Arrow.
Russ passed away July 7, 2023 at Mercy Hospital. Visitation will be held 9 - 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on July 22 at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Ave., S.W., presided by Deacon John Winkel. Private burial will be held at Blodgett Cemetery in Central City.
Let's take a glance into Russ's life. He took annual trips to PA to hunt deer. As a leader in Boy Scouts, he helped develop boys into young men with life skills. He led troops at Boy Scout camp and taught shooting and gun safety. Many years were spent with a Venture Crew 1024 having fun with friends, learning and sharing knowledge of Native Americans culture. As a member of the Palo American Legion he spent hours putting up and taking down American flags in Palo for 5 holidays and serving as part of an Honor Guard.
Many crafts were tried. Leather working, wood working, bone and wood carving, glass etching. Most of his time at home he gleaned knowledge from You Tube and the internet from the TV and his computer at the same time. He shared that knowledge with those around him. What he didn't have in his head he utilized from the internet. He would always have an answer. He not only shared his knowledge but also his wise cracks. He was smart with electronics such as "Alexa, good morning and Alexa good night" making the lights go on and off.
On Wednesdays he and John drove around observing the developments in the area, the new road constructions, and learning about interesting things this area has to offer. This always ended with lunch at Brogan's with Kris and Virginia. Several times a week he tried to beat his friend David at Cribbage. In earlier years he joked and spent time with Ron.
Eating at Brogan's in Palo with his wife and friends was a joy to him. In fact, in later years, eating out with his wife was a regular thing because he knew she enjoyed it. Being with his family was important to him. His boys learned from him how to be fine men and wonderful husbands with a good work ethic.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Hatch of Cedar Rapids; children, Andrew (Angie) Hatch of Cedar Rapids and Christopher (Amber) Hatch of Troy, Missouri; grandchildren, Tori Hatch, Gaven Hatch, and Kimberly Forbes; great-grandchildren, Oakley and Vadamae Mosher; and siblings, Janet (John) White of Central City and Judy Smith of Olin, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Bonnie Hatch, Mary Jean Clark, and Margaret Hatch; and granddaughter, Laurel West.
