Spencer Gordon Hatch

Spencer Gordon Hatch, born February 24, 1988, to Jody Lee (Wright) Hatch and Carter Gordon Hatch, passed away as a result of injuries from an auto-pedestrian accident on April 18th. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Charles Gordon Hatch and Leone Oyler Miller Hatch, nephew, Aiden Oberholzer, friend Peter Lowell, and many others.

Spencer was everything a parent could hope for in a firstborn child. He was protective, nurturing, and deeply loved those around him. As the first child, he and our parents grew together in a way that is hard to put into words. There was no strategy guide—just a family learning in real time what it meant to be parents and what it meant to be a son. Spencer was there for every “first”. First steps, first words and first heartbreaks. He helped shape the foundation of our family while discovering his own place within it. In many ways, he didn’t just grow up in the family—he helped build it.

As the oldest sibling to Natalee Hatch (Nicole Marsh), Jackson Hatch (Liz Hatch), Carlee Oberholzer (Ethan Oberholzer), Hyrum Hatch, and Hershel Hatch, Spencer naturally became someone we all looked up to. Whether he realized it or not, he set the tone for what it meant to be a Hatch. The hobbies he picked up became the ones we were drawn to. The music he played and listened to, the games he loved, the jokes he told, and even the way he carried himself all left a lasting impression. He created traditions without trying, and those traditions became part of who we are.

He was the one who went first—first to experience things, first to make mistakes, first to figure things out—and because of that, he made the path a little clearer for all of us who followed. He was a protector, someone we could look to for guidance, and someone who made us feel like we belonged. So much of who we are today—our humor, our interests, our perspectives—can be traced back to him. His influence lives on in each of us in ways both big and small, and it always will.

From a young age, Spencer embraced a life of learning. By the age of two, he could name and identify just about every dinosaur that had ever existed. That same curiosity and excitement carried into his love for his favorite childhood character, Yoshi—something that brought him joy and remained a small but memorable part of who he was. His love for characters didn’t stop there. It grew into a passion for Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and the vast world of anime—interests that sparked creativity, connection, and countless shared moments with others. That same passion eventually found its way into one of his greatest loves: Asian cuisine. Spencer found joy in creating food, especially crafting ramen, where he could blend creativity, patience, and care into something he could share with the people around him.

Spencer also had a deep love for music and was an excellent guitar player, a skill he continued to develop and refine throughout his life. He was a very talented artist, writer and poet. He had a profound love for reading. LOTR, The Witcher, and Redwall were some of his favorite series.

Spencer excelled in his academic pursuits, graduating from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah (2006 - high honors), where he earned multiple full-ride academic scholarships. During this time, he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout—an accomplishment that reflected his dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving others, these are traits that would continue to define him throughout his life.

He went on to join ROTC and continued his education at Westminster University, where he graduated. Spencer served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Hood. During his service, he worked as a Field Medical Assistant and later as a Medical Operations Manager. Through his dedication, discipline, and care for others, he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.

Spencer’s life was marked by a deep sense of responsibility, a love for learning, and an unwavering commitment to the people around him. Whether as a son, a brother, a leader, or a friend, he showed up with strength, compassion, and a quiet influence that will continue to be felt in the lives of those who knew him.

Spencer’s love for others was evident in everything he did. He had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life and a natural instinct to give, even when he had little. He shared an unbreakable bond with his dogs, Rex, Bruce and Winston, who stood beside him through it all. In times when many would hold tightly to what they had, Spencer continued to give—offering what he could to those around him, often putting others before himself. It was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

His viewing will be held Thursday, April 30th, 6:00-8:00 PM MST

A celebration of life will follow on May 1st at 2:00 PM MST

Services will be held at Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City, Utah.

260 E S Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

You may watch the service online through Zoom by clicking the "Watch Service" button above.

We ask that any donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Salt Lake City Road Home.