In Memory of Alan Hatch
![](https://webapps.usgs.gov/mrgescp/images/_awardPhoto/Alan-Hatch_obituary.jpg)
Message from the Executive Committee
Alan Hatch was a former member of the MRGESCP Executive Committee (EC) and Director of Natural Resources at the Pueblo of Santa Ana. He was dedicated to natural resources and took pride in his work. He was highly respected by others due to his kindness, intelligence, integrity, and commitment to natural resources.
As a long-time member of the MRGESCP, Alan was a huge supporter of its activities and participants. He rarely missed an EC meeting and volunteered to be the first EC ex officio member on the Science and Adaptive Management Committee in 2020. He regularly welcomed the MRGESCP onto the Pueblo of Santa Ana for field trips, workshops, and meetings.
Alan was a strong voice for the Pueblo and advocated for the natural resource needs of the Santa Ana community. He supported a collaborative approach to conservation and management of the Rio Grande and was hopeful and positive about the MRGESCP’s future direction, particularly with the move to an ecosystem approach.
In January 2024, the MRGESCP celebrated the life and work of Alan Hatch by posthumously awarding him the 2023 Rick Billings Award.
Obituary
Alan Merle Hatch (1970-2023)
After battling cancer for nearly a decade, Alan Hatch of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away on December 14, 2023. Alan was born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1970 to James and Judith Hatch. His childhood was filled with joy and adventures in Indiana and the many places across the country where his family traveled. Growing up, Alan became interested in the outdoors and completed a degree in Forestry from Purdue University. He remained a lifelong Boilermaker fan. He worked for the US Forest Service in Alaska and eventually made his way to Albuquerque where he worked for the Pueblo of Santa Ana's Natural Resources Department, serving as the director for many years. Alan was very proud of his work in natural resources throughout his career and was highly respected by others in the field. Alan was an incredibly dedicated father, husband, son, sibling, and friend. He is loved dearly by those who knew him. Alan was preceded in death by his father, James. He is survived by his wife, Liz, and son, Lucas, of Albuquerque; mother, Judith, of Terre Haute; sister, Jennifer, of Indianapolis; and brother, Andy (Cilicia and Jonathan), of Portland, OR. Services will be held at a later date. Based on Alan's love of the outdoors and animals, and his long-fought cancer battle, in lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite local animal, outdoor, or cancer charity would be appreciated. Alan supported:
- Animal Humane of New Mexico (https://animalhumanenm.org/)
- Tread Lightly (https://treadlightly.org/)
- New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation (https://nmcancercenter.org/fou...)
- Wabash Valley Community Foundation - James Eddy Hatch Endowment Fund (https://wvcf.org/donate/)
To send flowers to the family in memory of Alan Hatch, please visit the French Funerals and Cremations flower store. To view this obituary and leave a message for Alan's family, visit https://www.frenchfunerals.com....