Mr. Robert “Bob” Eugene Hatch, 90, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois.
He was born March 18, 1936, in Bushnell, Illinois, the son of Carl Edwin and June Elizabeth (McLaren) Hatch. He married Barbara “June” Bramlett on December 24, 1954, in Galesburg. She preceded him in death on January 22, 2018.
Surviving are two daughters, Ginger Lynn (and Bart) Randall of Knoxville and Cynthia Joan Chezum of Galesburg; one sister, Carolyn Jean Hughes of Abingdon; 14 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Barbara June Hatch; his parents; two sisters, Alma Marie Boyd and Beverly Jean Onion; and a great-grandson, Isaiah Robert Chezum.
Bob proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958. He enjoyed his time serving and especially appreciated the opportunity it gave him to travel and experience different parts of the world. His time in the Air Force was an important chapter in his life and one he remembered fondly. After the Air Force, he held several different jobs and took on countless side jobs and projects. For the final 20 years of his career, he worked at Maytag Manufacturing Company, where he became affectionately known to his coworkers as “Turtle Bob.” He retired from Maytag in 2001 after two decades of dedicated service. Even after retirement, he didn’t slow down and continued doing odd jobs for various people and companies. Bob was everyone’s handyman and carpenter.
Bob was a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan whose schedule revolved around their games. He gave his life to Christ as a young man and regularly attended church. He enjoyed serving in many different capacities—including security—and continued doing so into his 80s until dementia prevented him from serving.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the chapel, with Jordan Knigh officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg, with military honors provided by the Knox County Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Cat-n-Around Rescue or Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
