Captain Harold Glen Hatch, USN (Ret) of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Friday, July 12, 2013, at age eighty-six. Born March 24, 1927, in Port Arthur, Texas, he was the son of Lenard and Katie May Hatch.

Glen quit high school in 1944 to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. He entered boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, and then finished basic engineering school in Norfolk, Virginia. During the war, he served on a remote island in the Philippines preparing for the invasion of Japan. He was discharged in March of 1946.

Glen returned to Port Acres and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in December of 1947. During his senior year, he quarterbacked his team to the Bi-District Championship. Following one semester of college and a few short cruises as a Merchant Mariner, he re-enlisted in the Navy in March of 1948. He was subsequently selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

In June of 1953 following graduation and commissioning as an Ensign, Glen married Polly Ann Dudley. He completed flight training in Kingsville, Texas, and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 1955. He completed one tour of duty in VS-31 flying the S-2 Tracker and then transitioned to the largest aircraft to operate off aircraft carriers, the A-3 Skywarrior. In 1958 he returned to the Naval Academy as a company officer, and in 1962 he returned to flying a reconnaissance version of the A-3 with VQ-2. Based in Rota, Spain, he spent the next three years deploying worldwide during the Cold War.

Following shore tours in Monterrey, California and Norfolk, Virginia, Glen went back to Rota to take command of VQ-2. During this tour, he made two deployments to Vietnam flying off carriers and out of Danang. Returning stateside in 1970, he had two assignments in the U.S. and then joined the U.S. Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy. After two years on the staff, he ended his flying career as the Commanding Officer of VR-24 flying C-1 and C-2 aircraft delivering supplies to the fleet. During his career, he logged over 5400 hours of flight time and 280 carrier landings. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal and a number of campaign and commendation awards.

Following retirement in September of 1976, Polly and he enjoyed an extended cruise through the Bahamas on their forty-one foot sailboat. Following a short stint working for Sylvania Systems in Iran, Polly and he moved to Sotogrande, Spain to enjoy the golf, food, and lifestyle of the region. They traveled extensively but moved back to the U.S. in the late eighties to be near their children and grandchildren.

Glen was an avid golfer, sailor, horseman, and traveler. He never met a stranger and was always ready to pack up for any adventure. He relished the simple joys of life and was happiest in Southern Spain going to the local bars enjoying tapas. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren's activities and never missed an opportunity to be involved in their lives. Glen and Polly recently celebrated their 60th anniversary on June 19.

Glen is survived by his wife, Polly; sons, Glen Jr. and his wife Virginia and Paul and his wife Mary Anne; and daughters, Polly Long and her husband Mark and Julie Palmer and her husband Jim; sister, Doris Hyslop; and brother, Don Hatch. He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren: Nicole Palmer, Tyler Palmer, Lauren Hatch, Will Hatch, Elizabeth Hatch, Harry Hatch, Paul Hatch, Polly Ann Long and Callie Long.

The family would like to thank Lisa Lyles, Karen Zimmerman, and the team at Nurse Next Door of Fair Oaks Ranch and Alamo Hospice for the devoted love and comfort they gave Glen and the family over the past four months.

Visitation will be held for family and friends at the Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne between 5:00 and 6:00 PM Friday, July 19th. A Memorial Service will be held in the St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Boerne on Saturday, July 20th at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select the Obituaries tab. Memorials may be made to USNA Foundation, 291 Woods Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402. Reference "Capt H.G. Hatch" on the left line of the check.

Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.