Robert Eugene "Bob" Hatch
- Two Lowell men reported to the U.S. Naval Training Station here last
week to begin their basic training to prepare them for duty aboard one
of Uncle Sam's fighting warships.
The new bluejackets will receive careful instruction in a training program designed to toughen them physically and acquaint them with the fundamentals of seamanship and naval procedure. They will take a series of aptitude tests which will serve as a guide in an attempt to place them in the type of work for which they are best qualified.
Upon completing recruit training they will be granted a 9-day leave, at which time they probably will be home.
The new Lowell recruits are Robert Eugene Hatch, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Burlin F. Hatch, and Robert Duain Conners, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Conners.
The following February 25, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Visiting Home Folks
Bob Hatch, A.S., has been home from the naval base in Maryland for a visit with home folks. He enlisted in the navy several months ago and is taking his training at the Maryland base.This Lowell Tribune article was found in the December 13, 1945, issue (page 2, column 1):
- Aboard the USS Boxer in the Yellow Sea -- (Delayed) -- Robert E. Hatch, shipfitter, third class, USN, Lowell, Ind., has advanced to the rating now held while serving on this aircraft carrier.
- Men of the Boxer, now aiding occupation forces, recently had a chance to view Tokyo Bay before being assigned to this area off northern China.
- The ship's squadrons provided air cover for Marines put ashore earlier in October at Tientsin and Tsingtau to aid Chinese troops in disarming surrendering Japanese.
This May 11, 1999, Lowell Tribune obituary was found on page 8, column 5:
- Robert E. Hatch, age 73, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Lowell, passed away Monday, May 3, 1999. He is survived by: his former wife, Nancy Hatch; five children, Robert (Jeralyn) Hatch of Lowell, Linda Turner of Michigan City, Shelley Walsh of Hobart, Rochelle Hatch of Kankakee, Illinois, and Russell Hatch of Lowell; brothers and sisters, Charles Hatch of Munster, George (Shirley) Hatch of Crown Point, Emil (Pat) Hatch of Lowell, Jerry (Wilma) Hatch of Veedersburg, Richard Hatch of Hammond, Lora Mae Miller of Cedar Lake, Dorothy (Bud) Jansen of Lowell and Carol of Ormond Beach, Florida, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burlin Franklin and Maryann (nee Valley) Hatch, and one son, Daniel. Funeral services were arranged by Forest Lawn, 5740 South Pine Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34480. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific on the USS Boxer, and is a life member of the VFW Post in Dyer and a member of American Legion Post #20 in Crown Point. He is a past commander of both the Dyer and Lowell VFW Posts.
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