A EULOGY FOR OUR BROTHER, MIKE
The story of our brother Mike has come to an end. You might think it was pretty limited, seeing how he spent the last 40 years or so in a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis. In actuality, it is an epic tale of a soul driven by adventure and a certain swashbuckling fearlessness appropriate for the oldest of us four rotten Hatcher kids.
Mike was born October 17, 1952 to our Mama, Elnora “Jackie” and our Dad, Bob R. He came into this world at an army hospital, a precursor to the fight this guy had in him. He spent his time on Earth fighting for what was right, both for him and for those he loved. Once Dad was discharged, the three of them began their lifetime of adventure, striking out on their own. So, you see Mike was taught from a young age not to be afraid to follow his stars, wherever they may take him.
One of the earliest places they lived was Nevada, right where the map starts to burn as the tv show Bonanza begins. That show’s theme song may as well have been the soundtrack of his life. Sung to its tune, “Ride into town and you kick a little butt Bonanza! If you’re gonna mess with one of my brothers, you’re gonna mess with me!” It was there that Mikey ended up welcoming his faithful sidekick and little brother, Mark. Mikey and Marky began their life-long partnership, fighting all sorts of bad guys and evil-doers in the true vein of swashbucklers throughout time. Thus, the origin story of the Hatcher Kids Gang begins.
Dad and Mama followed the construction boom of the 1950’s all across the west, eventually landing in Utah. Now, with the addition of two little sisters, Michele and me, in tow, the Rotten Hatcher Kids gang was complete and his superpowers were honed. A University of Utah graduate, he worked for the Salt Lake City police department, perfecting his skills on the gun range and was known to leave his younger siblings in a state of shock and awe with his trusty side-arm. He studied martial arts with the sharpest eye and determination of any fan of Kung Fu (snatch the pebble from my hand, little sister, and you will be ready for this candy bar.) He took up fencing with the determination of the best of the Musketeers (a skill that also came in handy when wooing the young maidens at the Renaissance Festivals.)
Of course, those days of wooing came to an end when he cast eyes upon (with the help of our mother) the fair lady, Debbi. Debbi worked as a teller at the same bank Mom did. Mom promised her a box of See’s candy if she’d help with a little prank and wink at Mike the next time he came to deposit his paycheck. He was a goner. It wasn’t too long before Mike and Debbi were living in Kemmerer, Wyoming and Tiffany Faye was on the way! Mike drove a Wabco, those giant trucks you see pictures of at mines. Driving trucks, following in his father’s footsteps, you see.
It wasn’t too long after Dustin arrived that came the lifetime challenge for our hero. Mike was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition that kept him in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Did he become despondent? No! He fought it for his happiness every day for the rest of his life like the badass (sorry, Mom) that he was.
Mike and Debbi gathered their chickens and moved to the warmer climates of California. There, Mike was the chief cook and bottle washer as a stay-at-home dad. With Mike leading the charge at home while Debbi kept the dragons at bay at the office, their little family prospered in the California sun. Fast forward a few years and Tiffany was at college at San Diego State living with my Mom and Dad. Not too long after that, Mike received the best Christmas present of his life, his wonderful grandson Raymond.
(please read on in the next post)
