Pasadenan James Robert “Bob” Hatch Sr., Dies at 97

James Robert “Bob” Hatch Sr., a retired aerospace machinist and long-time Pasadena resident, died in his sleep on September 18. He was 97.

Hatch was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 12, 1919. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was seven years old. Two months later, his father was murdered in a robbery, and Hatch had to become the man of the family and worked to help out.

He was a machinist by trade and worked in the construction trade on the side his whole life, his children say.

“He slept only four hours a day plus a small nap before he worked swing shift or graveyard shifts. He always talked about the Moon landings and how he built some of the parts for the missions.”

His wife Marguerite passed in 2009 after their 62 years of marriage.

His children say he had a temper “but also could make you laugh yourself silly.”

Hatch leaves behind two daughters, Sharon and Cindy, son James Jr., 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

“He will be missed by all that knew him. He was the hardest working man we knew,” his children said.

There will be a celebration of life in his memory on Saturday, November 5, 2 p.m. at the Hatch’s home in Pasadena.