Robert Hatcher

Robert L. Hatcher, Springhill, Kansas, died June 26, 2007 at Olathe Medical Center after an extended illness. Memorials contributions can be made to: Boy Scout Troop 406 W 74th Street Kansas City, Missouri 64114.

He is survived by his wife Fern of the home and their children, Susan Staggenborg, Manhattan, KS, Darrin Hatcher, Olathe, KS, Carrie Shepherd, Overland Park, Kansas and John Hatcher of Springhill, KS. He is preceded in death by his parents, F.D. and LaVaughn Hatcher, his brother Claude and sister Claudine.


Robert was born October 29, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri to Deloris LaVaughn (Hamby) and F.D. Hatcher. Most of his youth was spent on Locust Street in the Wornall area of Kansas City, Missouri where he attended JC Nichols Elementary. He was a fun-loving child who enjoyed afternoon movies with his many neighborhood friends and the frequent stop at Friedsen's Drugstore for the customary hot dog and coke before heading home after school. This side trip would lead to an exasperated sigh from his mother who would scold him for spoiling his dinner.

He was a lover of all animals and always had a dog or two that he cared for growing up. He also spent his time between singing, perhaps reluctantly, in the Broadway United Methodist Children's choir, activities with the local Boy Scout troop, and many summers at his grandparents farm near Minneloa, KS. He spent many summers away from home at boy scout camp and "roughing it" in the great outdoors. His scouting skills would later be utilized with his own family in several "memorable" yet, wet camping vacations with his own children and his wife Fern and the nickname "One Match Hatch."

He graduated from Southwest High School in 1960 and would attend Central Missouri State in Warrensburg with the intention of becoming a veterinarian. After attending only a few weeks of required science courses, he changed his major to business. He would not bring home a diploma from CMSU, but would bring home the love of his life, Elma Fern Bruns. They met on a blind date and it was love at first sight for both of them, overlooking the fact that for the next few dates he thought her name was Elma Fern Burns. This was soon corrected. After their two year courtship they would marry on November 30, 1962.

Bob would spend the next 12 years with Wagner Electric Products as a warehouse supervisor. This job would take Bob and his family from Kansas City, to Dallas, Texas and on to Huntington Beach, California.

In 1982, the family would move back to Kansas City so that they could be closer to family. He continued working as a warehouse manager in the Kansas City area.

Bob and Fern were blessed with four children. Fern often told people that she did not have four children, but she really had five. Bob had a tendency to know how to push all of the kids buttons and would come home and "stir up a whirlwind" with the kids which often resulted in slamming doors from three of the kids and tears from one.

He was always a child at heart enjoying Christmas and Fourth of July as much like any 8-year-old would. The house would be full of laughter and gentle teasing that has always been a fond memory of the children. His lack of direction would often lead to extended day trips and frustrated passengers. A gift from his children was a much cherished bumper sticker proudly displayed on his 1972 Blue Ford pickup that said "Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost. He was never without a tube of Chapstick that was used so often that he would dig out the last remaining dab with the stick that held it in the tube. He was a very frugal man.

Bob will forever remain in our hearts as a fun and loving father, dutiful husband and gentle grandfather. He has eight grandchildren, Lance and Sarah Staggenborg, Dylan, Dalton, and Preston Hatcher, Brett Shepherd, and Connor, Logan and Shelby Hatcher.

Bob had the gift of laughter, a fun-loving spirit, and never met a stranger. Talking to complete strangers was perhaps his favorite past time. The world would be a much "funner" place with the likes of Bob Hatcher.