Dr. Charles Winthrop Hatch, 80, of Newberry, SC died December 17, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 3, 1944 in Holden, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late David Lincoln and Mary Alice Gies Hatch.

Charles was lucky enough to grow up with 2 professors for parents, and 3 younger sisters. His parents fostered his intelligence, and his sisters teased and bothered him endlessly. There were episodes including unhardened fudge artfully left in the middle of his bed, and giant eggs palmed off as emerging from his prize bantam hens. In turn, Charles followed many interests, from raising chickens, building radios and speakers, to irritating all his high school and college teachers with his outspoken ability to prove them wrong.

Charles attended Dreher High School and in 1961 began his studies in History and English at the University of South Carolina. In 1964, he went with his family to Wiesbaden, Germany, where he was able to do research for his senior history paper of the Stedinger Crusade of 1234. In 1966 he graduated from USC and entered Johns Hopkins University where he received his Masters of Education, married Fran, and began teaching Social Studies at PS233. In 1968, Charles experienced one of his life's great 'big adventures", when he accepted a position with the Episcopal Church on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota – a truly wonderful experience.

In 1970, he and Fran welcomed their daughter, Lisa Lynette and later, their son, David. Following his work on Standing Rock, he and his family moved to Denmark, SC where he began teaching 9th grade English. There were countless experiences to be had while living in Denmark, including raising calves, chickens, and pigs and growing a garden. In 1978, Charles went back to USC bringing himself and his family to Newberry, and in 1983 he earned his Ph.D. in Educational Research.

In 1982 he incorporated CWH Consulting Co., and began conducting NTE/PRAXIS workshops for Teachers, something he continued to do throughout the rest of his life.

In 1990 he welcomed his first grandchild, Samantha and later three more grandchildren, Kimberly, Robin, and Brooke. Beginning in 2013 he was blessed with great-grandchildren, Allie, Brynlee, CJ and Greyson – his pride and joy. Charles made a point to always be there for them - taking them to the library, ice cream every Tuesday - showing up wherever and whenever he could to love and support his great-grandchildren. Simply stated, his proudest achievement was being "Pa" to his family.

Charles had a passion for reading, wood working, cars, yoga, and learning. He believed 'you never stop learning' and when something piqued his interest he was focused, learning all he could, teaching himself, and then explaining to others. He was a very caring, hard-working and hard-headed, proud, and fiercely independent person. Every single day was an exciting adventure for him. Charles leaves behind very big shoes to fill and will be missed deeply.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Bobby); son, David (Tina); grandchildren, Samantha (Andrew), Kimberly (Chris), Robin, Isabella, Savannah, and Brooke ; great-grandchildren, Allie, Brynlee, CJ, and Greyson; siblings, Abby Hatch Cleland (Joel), Faith Hatch Mann, Betsy Hatch Dimmery (Terry).

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brother-in-law William "Bill" Mann.

The family will receive friends at his home, 1531 Main Street, Newberry from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024.

Funeral services will be conducted by Father Slaven Manning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Branham, Chris Munger, Raymond Wise, Keith Rankin, Mike Fortman, and Dave Clifford.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Bernardo Hospice Care, Teresa Halfacre and the team at Dementia and Elder Care for their loving and compassionate care of "Pa" these last weeks.

The family suggests memorials be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1605 Main Street Newberry, SC 29108 or Newberry County Library System, Hal Kohn Memorial Library, 1100 Friend Street Newberry, SC 29108.

Memories and messages may be shared with the family on his tribute page at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com