Dr. E Martin Hatcher, whose first doctoral thesis was rejected as being too interesting, died on Dec. 27, 2023 at the age of 96 at the Senior Care Center in Gunnison.
There is no period after the “E” in his name above because E was his full first name. Having a unique name was fitting, as he was an interesting and wonderful man, father and husband. Born in Oklahoma, Marty (no one called him E) then moved with his mother, younger brother and sister to Denver. He served in the Army in Alaska at the end of WWII, waiting for a message to decode that never came. Years later, he took a college production of Gigi on a USO tour to entertain our troops.
Marty met Maxine Millikin when both attended the University of Denver, earning their undergraduate degrees. They were married in 1948 and after graduation, they moved to Gunnison. Marty accepted an offer at the age of 23 to teach speech and drama at Western State College (now Western Colorado University). His love of education would keep him teaching for 44 years. Together, he and Maxine founded a professional dinner theater in Crested Butte. They were also very active in Gunnison’s Webster Players community theater troupe. Having obtained his masters and doctoral degrees, he successfully directed scores of young people in theatrical productions. He was also known for the many entertaining speeches he gave at high schools and colleges within the community and around the state.
In 1974, he turned to a new field when he ran for and was elected to the Colorado State Senate. He would serve two terms, after which he decided to return home and to Western State to continue teaching speech, drama and now, government. Marty had a sharp mind and was interested in almost everything. He enjoyed playing golf and was a founding member of the Dos Rios Country Club — though he later admitted he rarely kept score. He was also involved with the development of Boomers and Beyond and activities for seniors.
Marty and Maxine were magnets to their extended family and friends. He loved his family,
friends, food, travel, politics, martinis and cigars. He delighted in rich conversations around the table or backyard island campfires — some of our fondest memories. He always led his life looking forward, being the positive man his family and friends greatly loved and admired.
Marty is preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, parents, Ollie Everett Hatcher and Caro C.
Hatcher, his two brothers, Ollie Hatcher, Jr., James Hatcher and sister, Jean Hatcher. He is
survived by his three sons and their wives, Martin Winston (Mardi Crawford), Mark (Pam) and
Noel (Sheila), two grandchildren and their spouses, Cameron (Susan) and Taylor Gregory (Shawn), four great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.
There will be a private family celebration to honor Marty’s life and scatter his ashes at a later date. His family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the assisted living and senior care center in Gunnison for all of their exceptional care. In honor of his life, we ask that you consider a donation to Gunnison Valley Health Assisted Living, Gunnison Valley Health Senior Care Center or your favorite charity.
