Kent's talk at Dad's Funeral

Who is the man whose life we have to remember and honor today? Dal Hatch is a husband, a brother, a father and grandfather, a friend, a youth leader, a World War II veteran, a neighbor are just some of the titles by which we know him. In life you come to know a person is in a number of ways. With some through direct dialogue, others through writings. Still others through hearing their remarks. Dad was a quite man who wasn’t quick to express his thoughts. Conversations may have been few and perhaps short, books were never authored, and was not one to stand on his soapbox and express his thoughts.

So how did one come to know Dahl Hatch? To know the man you had to work beside him. My guess is that each one of you had at least one if not several opportunities work with Dad on a service project. I’m willing to bet he arrived before you, and stayed longer than you. I’ll bet you can remember taking a break only to find Dad still digging ditches, hammering nails or pushing a wheel barrow. He was generous with his time, always willing to help.

As you worked with him you came to know him. During this time with him, you were certain to hear his simple words of wisdom. Otherwise known as Dahlisms in our family. He spent a lifetime collecting quotes. He has several small binders in which he as recorded these thoughts. They are not in any particular order, but in his mind and in his practice he has arranged them, sorted them, and was able to find one for just about every occasion. These quotes open a window into his life. His sharp wit and humor and wisdom are expressed in these words. When I was a teenager I wrote down many of these in my own binder and have added to it periodically. Let me share a few of these. I’m sure these will resonate with each of you today.

On Work
Opportunity is always dressed in work clothes

To kill time, try working it to death

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.

Some people are like blisters – they don’t show up until the work is done.

If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way.

Some people make it happen, some people watch it happen, and some people say what happened.

Most people wish to serve God – but in an advisory capacity only.

On Family and relations
The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

The formula for a successful marriage – you make a little money first, then you make a little money last.

You can tell more about a person by what he says about other people than what they say about him.

On Life
Common sense is not so common.

Good judgment comes from experience, and that comes from poor judgment.

The truth shall make ye free, but first it will make ye miserable.

If 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.

Facts don’t cease to exist because we choose to ignore them.

If you stand for nothing, you will fall for nothing.

On the Spoken Word
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.

Blessed are those who have nothing to say and cannot be persuaded to do so.

Some people get lost in thought because it is unfamiliar territory.

Maybe death and taxes are inevitable, but death doesn’t get worse each time congress meets.

Quite people aren’t the only ones who don’t say much.

Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. So why should I fear that which cannot exist when I do?

All of the most beautiful influences are quite; only the destructive agencies, the stormy winds, the heavy rains are noisy. Love of the deepest sort is wordless; the sun shine steals down silently; the dew falls noiselessly; and the communion of spirit with spirit is calmer than anything else in the world, quiet as the spontaneous turning of the sunflower to the sun when heavy clouds have passed away, and the light and warmth reveal themselves. Ada Baylo

They say a man's home is his castle. To dad it was life’s joy which brought daily challenges. His garage was command central. To untrained eye the garage full of stuff – a mess really. He has a workbench with 30 drawers underneath. He knew exactly what was in each drawer. I was at the home recently and need to find an extension cord. Even having spent little time in his garage in the last 30 years, I could remember exactly which drawer to open. He trained me well. He was a handyman extraordinaire. He could fix anything. No project was beyond his reach. Each room in the house could tell many stories. He even helped in the homes of his children. He installed overhead lighting all the houses in which I’ve lived. In the first house, I remember he cut a hole in the ceiling and then muttered something like “I hope we get a wire to up there”. Christine was horrified. I know he would find a way.

Dad was generous with his time and talents. I’d like to see a by a show of hands who here was a recipient of Dad’s service. All those who at one time had Dad come to their house and repair something. Dad let his actions tell his life’s story. Be ye. doers of the wordDad was a doer. For this I am thankful.