Verl Robinson Hatch

Verl Robinson Hatch, 87 of Rigby died Thursday, July 17, 2014 at his home in Rigby. He was born October 22, 1926 in Perry, Utah to Mark Holbrook Hatch and Hattie Leone Robinson Hatch. Verl was raised in Teton Valley, Idaho. In the spring of 1945, he joined the US Army and received basic training at Fort Ord, California, he was about to be sent to Germany when WWII ended; he served in Alaska and was honorably discharged in 1946. He then returned to Blackfoot, and on May 3, 1952 he married Bonnie Jean Hopkins. They raised four boys, David Lynn, Danny Lee, John Mark and Richard Eugene. They divorced in 1971. Verl met Verna Ruth Florence in Utah, they were married March 26, 1974 in Layton, Utah; they had 1 son, Duane Verl then moved to Rigby where they lived for 38 years. After his military service Verl bought a truck and started his career in trucking. He worked at American Potato in Blackfoot, then moved to Great Falls, Montana and was employed by Builders Transport, Freeport Transport, and later Grover Trucking. He then later formed Snake River Trucking to Haul mine timbers. Verl loved driving long-haul and owning his own truck. He rebuilt several trucks and drove for over 47 years. After retiring from trucking, he worked for Jefferson County Road and Bridge for an additional 7 years. Verl loved the outdoors. He enjoyed snowmobiles in the winter and camping in the summer and always went deer hunting with his boys. He was an avid fisherman, fishing many streams, lakes and reservoirs. He especially enjoyed fishing in Lake Mead. For the last 14 years he and Verna traveled to Overton, Nevada where they spent the winters in their fifth-wheel camper. Verl was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Verna were sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple September 13, 1980. He is survived by his wife Verna, Hatch, of Rigby; sons, David Lynn (Mickey) Hatch, Danny Lee (Sandy) Hatch, Richard Eugene Hatch, all of Blackfoot, Jon Mark Hatch, of Wasilla, Alaska, Duane Verl (Cathy) Hatch of Rigby; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; step-children, Debra Sego, of Hotchkiss, Colorado Jeffery Lee of Bakersfield, California, Blaine Lee, Brian Lee, both of Sequim, Washington; 6 step-grandchildren, 12 step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Velma O’Brien of Provo, Utah, Alice Miller and Laura Wagoner both of Idaho Falls. He was preceded in death by 1 grandchild and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 21, 2014 in the Rigby East Stake Center. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby and for one hour prior to services Monday at the church. Interment will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.