Virgil Vernon Hatch was born in Custer County, Nebraska to Bennie L. and Mabel (Griffith) Hatch on July 1, 1924. He passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Highland Park Care Center. Virgil celebrated his 100th birthday with family July 1, 2024, a lifetime goal completed. The morning of his passing he received a WWII Celebration of Victory Medal from the State of Nebraska celebrating his service to the country.
Virgil grew up in Custer County, helping on the family farm and working.
He graduated from Lexington High School in 1943, enlisted June 9, 1943 at Ft. Crook, Nebraska and served as a Chief Clerk in the United States Army until Dec. 13, 1945. In 1953 he received his Pharmacy Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He met the love of his life when they were 15, Ruth I. (Diefenbach) Hatch. They were married on March 3, 1946 at the United Methodist Church in Lexington. They had three children: Jerry, Larry and Deb. Virgil and Ruth celebrated their 74th anniversary March 3, 2020 shortly before her passing.
In 1962 they moved to Alliance, Nebraska, where they purchased their first store, Hatch Drug. They owned and operated many businesses in Alliance over a span of 48 years, including Hatch Drug, Radio Shack, Ruth’s Hallmark, Hatch’s Hallmark, The Computer Center, and Special Stitches.
Virgil had a wonderful, busy life and was the most caring person he could be. He was a practicing Pharmacist until the age of 84, when he retired to spend time with Ruth, family and gardening, one of his many hobbies. He and Ruth enjoyed traveling all over the world.
Virgil was an active member of Kiwanis, Methodist Men and served as the President of the Nebraska Pharmacists Association from 1978-1979
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth; brothers, Wilford Hatch, and Verl Hatch; his sister, Dorothy (Hatch) Glenn; his son, Larry Hatch; and daughter in law, Anita (Shaughnessy) Hatch.
He leaves a legacy of family, including his sister, Carol (Hatch) Dreier; his son, Jerry (Hing Wah) Hatch; his daughter, Deb (Hatch) Thiems (Rick); Grandchildren, KayYing Hatch, Karri (Hatch) Guthmiller Tyler (Lindsie) Thiems, Ashley Dudden, Gina Garrett Rebillet and Pat Garrett; great grandchildren, Caleb (Katie) Hatch, C.J. (Hannah) Guthmiller, Cassey (Jordan) McCracken, Sean Thiems, Xavier Thiems, Chance Thiems, Brookleigh Thiems, Lainey Thiems, Aubrey Dudden, and Natalie Dudden, and Canden Marsteller; great-great grandchildren, Lukas McCracken, Miah Hatch, Lily Hatch, Ryker Hatch, Asher Dickenson, and Oliver Hatch; and many nieces and nephews and extended family.
We would like to thank the Highland Park Care Center for the outstanding care given to Virgil and Ruth over the past 6 years. They will always be a part of our family.
A celebration of Virgil’s life will be held Monday, June 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church. Pastor Greg Reed will officiate. Inurnment will be in the United Methodist Church Columbarium.
Memorials may be given in care of the family for a future designation.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.