IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John Mark
Hatch
August 15, 1946 – March 25, 2016
Obituary
Mark Hatch, loving husband and family man, died Friday morning of a heart attack at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. He was 69 years old.
Mark was born August 15, 1946, in Idaho Falls to John Sumner Hatch and Ruth Masters Hatch. Spending his early years on a dairy and competing in 4-H, Mark developed a lifelong love of animals, working with horses and cattle from a young age.
Mark also spent most of his summer breaks from school working at Falconberry Ranch, his father's ranch in the Frank Church wilderness, which instilled in him an enduring passion for the primitive parts of our state. Loon Creek and its surroundings were a great love of his life. At Falconberry, Mark and Chris met their lifelong friends, Ron and Ellie Hampton.
Academically accomplished, Mark earned his B.A. in History from Harvard College (68') and his M.A. in English from the University of Utah.
Mark married Christine Crapo in 1970 prior to completing a tour of duty in Vietnam. After completing his studies in Utah, they made their home in Idaho Falls.
Along with the outdoors, Mark's other passion in life was teaching. He taught English at Idaho Falls High School for 32 years and impacted numerous lives with his humane understanding of people and ideas. Mark loved teaching literature and writing, and he conveyed this love in witty, often inventive, ways. Mark often said that he lucked into teaching, and teaching gave his life a deep purpose.
Mark was an articulate and funny man, adored by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He adored them all in return. Those who know him remember Mark as a caring grandfather, a wit, and a genuine non-conformist who loved playing with words and ideas. Mark was a lifelong avid reader.
Mark had a deep appreciation and love for nature. Following retirement, Mark enjoyed hiking and camping with friends and family. He was also an avid tree planter, and his grandchildren loved following him around the pasture discovering interesting new plantings.
Throughout his life, but especially in his older years, Mark loved being around dogs. For those who knew him, tales of his dogs were always a good source of conversation.
He is survived by his wife, Christine; sons Abram (Ying) Hatch of Los Angeles, CA, Paul (Kristine) Hatch of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Luke Hatch of Boise, ID; grandchildren Madison Hatch, Isabelle Hatch, Soren Hatch, and Asher Hatch; sister Joan Hatch of Salt Lake City, UT. And of course his dogs, Gracie and Currie. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Carol Sellers.
Mark loved and frequently quoted Shakespeare, and the lines from one of his favorite sonnets are appropriate: "This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, / To love that well which thou must leave ere long."
A memorial gathering will be held at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho 300 S. Capital Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 83402 on Tuesday, March 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho online http://www.theartmuseum.org/SupportMuseum.htm. Condolences may be sent online at www.coltrinmortuary.com
Mark was born August 15, 1946, in Idaho Falls to John Sumner Hatch and Ruth Masters Hatch. Spending his early years on a dairy and competing in 4-H, Mark developed a lifelong love of animals, working with horses and cattle from a young age.
Mark also spent most of his summer breaks from school working at Falconberry Ranch, his father's ranch in the Frank Church wilderness, which instilled in him an enduring passion for the primitive parts of our state. Loon Creek and its surroundings were a great love of his life. At Falconberry, Mark and Chris met their lifelong friends, Ron and Ellie Hampton.
Academically accomplished, Mark earned his B.A. in History from Harvard College (68') and his M.A. in English from the University of Utah.
Mark married Christine Crapo in 1970 prior to completing a tour of duty in Vietnam. After completing his studies in Utah, they made their home in Idaho Falls.
Along with the outdoors, Mark's other passion in life was teaching. He taught English at Idaho Falls High School for 32 years and impacted numerous lives with his humane understanding of people and ideas. Mark loved teaching literature and writing, and he conveyed this love in witty, often inventive, ways. Mark often said that he lucked into teaching, and teaching gave his life a deep purpose.
Mark was an articulate and funny man, adored by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He adored them all in return. Those who know him remember Mark as a caring grandfather, a wit, and a genuine non-conformist who loved playing with words and ideas. Mark was a lifelong avid reader.
Mark had a deep appreciation and love for nature. Following retirement, Mark enjoyed hiking and camping with friends and family. He was also an avid tree planter, and his grandchildren loved following him around the pasture discovering interesting new plantings.
Throughout his life, but especially in his older years, Mark loved being around dogs. For those who knew him, tales of his dogs were always a good source of conversation.
He is survived by his wife, Christine; sons Abram (Ying) Hatch of Los Angeles, CA, Paul (Kristine) Hatch of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Luke Hatch of Boise, ID; grandchildren Madison Hatch, Isabelle Hatch, Soren Hatch, and Asher Hatch; sister Joan Hatch of Salt Lake City, UT. And of course his dogs, Gracie and Currie. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Carol Sellers.
Mark loved and frequently quoted Shakespeare, and the lines from one of his favorite sonnets are appropriate: "This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, / To love that well which thou must leave ere long."
A memorial gathering will be held at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho 300 S. Capital Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 83402 on Tuesday, March 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho online http://www.theartmuseum.org/SupportMuseum.htm. Condolences may be sent online at www.coltrinmortuary.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Mark Hatch, please visit our flower store.
Services
Gathering of Family and Friends
March
29
The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho
5:30 - 7:30 pm
John Mark Hatch's Guestbook
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