Robertson Hatch

Robertson Hatch died peacefully on June 18, 2022 near Princeton, NJ, surrounded by family.  Born on August 4, 1933 in Boston, MA, he was a lifelong New York resident, first Manhattan and Brooklyn, and then Three Village area on Long Island, only moving to New Jersey to be closer to family in the last year of his life.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gabriele; two sons, Michael and John; a daughter, Barbara; two granddaughters, Ophelia and Devin; a grandson, Nicholas; his brothers Sinclair Jr. “Chip” and George; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his daughter, Elizabeth. 

A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Princeton University and Harvard Law School, he was especially proud of his Fulbright Scholarship and his participation in The Experiment in International Living which allowed him to study international law in Luxembourg and Cologne following law school.  It is while in Germany that he reconnected with a Harvard classmate, Jobst von Bulow, who introduced him to his future wife, Jobst’s younger sister Gabriele. 

Rob’s career began in corporate law at Davis Polk and then Bankers Trust in New York, private practice in Setauket on Long Island, and finally as a senior attorney with Suffolk County.  He was always involved in his community, as a member of various Episcopal churches on Long Island, including Caroline Church and finally St. Cuthbert’s; as a Democratic committeeman; and on the School Board of the Three Villages.  He was named the Three Village Times “Person of the Year” in 1985. 

Rob had varied passions, including his family; ancient Greek literature (he was a Classics major at Princeton); the Episcopal Church (he served on various vestries and as lay minister for many years); social justice; the environment; Long Island wineries; good food; travel; and classical music.  He collected rare and important recordings his entire life and has left a collection of thousands of records and CD’s.  As an example of his diverse passions, during his toast to Gabriele at their 50th wedding anniversary at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, he somehow managed to tie together the history of music and opera from the Renaissance through the 20th century to his love for his wife. 

His commitment to various causes and his passion for music and justice made a difference in his community his entire life.  He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey:  https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-jersey/