SEATTLE, WA -- 01/31/08 --
Hatch & Kirk, Inc ("H&K") sadly announced that
its co-founder and board member, Marshall Hatch, passed away on Saturday,
January 26th after a brief illness. Mr. Hatch, 89, co-founded H&K in 1945
with Jack Kirk, who passed away in 2001.
H&K is a distributor of heavy-duty diesel engine parts to the rail, marine
and power generation industries. Mr. Hatch was instrumental in building
H&K from a small parts dealer into a global company serving the needs of a
diverse customer base. Even after retirement, he remained a valued advisor
to the Company by serving on the Board of Directors with distinction. He
was very involved in industry affairs and was a past President of the
Association of Diesel Specialists from 1976-1978. Mr. Hatch was also an
avid art collector and was president of the Seattle Art Museum board of
directors from 1982 to 1986.
Mr. Hatch was a fourth-generation Washingtonian and a Seattle native. He
attended Garfield High School and the University of Washington and began
his career working for Todd Shipyards in Seattle where he met Jack Kirk.
Soon thereafter, they founded H&K.
Mr. Hatch skillfully led H&K through decades of growth and was responsible
for building its brand and reputation in the engine parts business from
1945 through 1985. At that point, he determined it was time to step back
from day to day business operations and he sold much of his ownership in
the company to the employees who, to this day, operate the business serving
customers worldwide. "Marshall's innovation capability combined with his
strong customer service orientation has always been the bedrock of this
Company and his legacy continues," commented Michael Korotkin, President
and CEO of H&K. "H&K remains an employee-owned company and thanks to
Marshall's business savvy and dedication, we are well placed to continue
serving the needs of our customers."
Remembrances can be made to Neighborhood House at 905 Spruce St., Seattle,
WA 98104 or the Museum of Northwest Art at P.O. Box 969, La Conner, WA
98257.
Contact:
Leslie Isernio
206-789-9150
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