Martin Eugene Hatch

Martin Eugene Hatch, “Marty”, 66 passed away on the early morning of July 30, 2019 after a courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  Marty was born in Boise on January 19, 1953, the second child of Eugene and Joyce Hatch.  Marty graduated from Borah High School in 1971 and enlisted in the US Army as a soldier in 1971 through 1975.  He Married the love of his life and high school sweetheart Brenda “Bunny” Webster on February 1, 1974.  They settled in Boise after being stationed in Hawaii and Louisiana.

After settling in Boise, Marty worked for Gammill Construction as a finish carpenter.  He attended Boise State University and was certified in Mechanical Plant Maintenance.  In his spare time after retiring he volunteered a few hours every week at Simply Cats where he would spend time caring for cats.

You could always find Marty either fishing, hunting, camping, playing softball, bowling, working at the drag strip, or playing horseshoes.  He was the pitcher on a softball team consisting of many of his high school friends.  Marty enjoyed bowling with his sweetheart Brenda.  They traveled together to tournaments and meetings around the state.  Marty and Brenda spent over twenty-five years working together at Firebird Raceway.  His passion however was fishing.  He knew where to find the fish and he seemed to know what bait to use.  No one ever knew how he always caught the most fish as he would say “that’s a secret”.  To this day these secrets are still with him and it’s safe to say he is now fishing with his love of his life Brenda.

Marty and his high school friends started a tradition in 1971 of an annual camping reunion (spouses were included over time).  They told campfire stories, played “mountain horseshoes”, backgammon and cribbage tournaments.  Marty attended the 47th year of the camping reunion last year.  He enjoyed the time spent with all his high school friends, their spouses and their children.

Marty is survived by his siblings Marsha Smith (Ron Edler), Sharon Zitlau; his nephews Jess Zitlau, Preston (Jennifer) Smith, a niece Tina (Benjamin) Sterling; his great nephews Ryder Zitlau, Colton Smith and a great niece Lilith Smith; and all his friends’ children that he thought of as his own.  He is preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Joyce, the love of his life Brenda, his sister Sylvia Hatch, his nephew Nolan Smith and his brother-in-law Kirk Zitlau.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Paula Carvalho of Saint Alphonsus in Boise for her patients, kindness and her strong will to help and be there at all hours.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Marty Hatch to Simply Cats, MISTI or charity of your choice.