Joe B. Hatcher

Former Hendrix College President and P.A. Headmaster dies at 75. Joe Branch Hatcher was born on July 28, 1936, died at the age of 75 on June 1, 2012. Joe grew up in Fort Worth, Texas before moving to Kansas, Mo., Michigan, and finally residing in Arkansas when he came to Conway to become the President of Hendrix College in 1981. He served as the President of Hendrix College from 1981 to 1991 and then went to work for First Commercial Bank as a Vice Chairman. In his last years he served as the Headmaster at Pulaski Academy on an interim basis on two different occasions. In between that time he was a consultant for colleges and for placement companies finding college executives. He also worked for Fred Huston Consulting. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Irma Gail Hatcher, his son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Lee Hatcher, his son Geoff Hatcher, his daughter and son-in-law Gailyn and Rob Strobing, Tammy and Bryon Childress, and his six grandchildren, Kelsey, Haley, Larkin, Layne, and Mattie Hatcher, Lindley Childress, and his dog, Rudy. Dr. Hatcher graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's Degree in English; he received his Master's Degree and his Doctorate from Kansas University in English in 1969. Following graduation he went to work at Baker University as an English Professor where he was promoted to the Chairman of the English Department and then went to Park College in Parkville, Mo. where he became the Vice President of Development, he later moved to Albion College in Albion, Mich. where he was the Vice President of Development before moving to Conway, Ark. to become the President at Hendrix College in 1981. Dr. Hatcher was very involved in the community serving on numerous boards and charities. He was very active in the community serving as Chairman of CARTI, The Arthritis Foundation, President of the Conway Chamber of Commerce, the First Commercial Bank Board, the UCA Foundation Board, he Chaired two book clubs, and also served on the Conway Hospice Committee. What he loved most was watching his grandchildren play sports, reading his books, and he particularly enjoyed his two book clubs he regularly attended. In his younger years he was very active as a runner, tennis player, and did have a very competitive spirit which he passed on to his kids and grandkids. His family most of all remembers him as an extremely intelligent, very kind and gentle person who was always there not as the center of attention, but with a dry, witty, and sarcastic sense of humor. He was also the number #1 sports fan for his grandkids attending all of their Mighty Bluebirds, Pulaski Academy, and Central Arkansas Christian sporting events. He will be greatly missed by his family and the community. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Greene Chapel located on the campus of Hendrix College. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hendrix College. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.