Martin Hatcher
E Martin Hatcher | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Colorado Senate from the 33rd district | |
| In office January 14, 1975 – January 5, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Al C. Ruland |
| Succeeded by | Regis Groff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | E Martin Hatcher September 19, 1927 Ada, Oklahoma |
| Died | December 27, 2023 (aged 96) Gunnison, Colorado |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Maxine Hatcher (née Millikin) |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residence | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Alma mater | University of Denver |
| Profession | Professor of speech and drama |
| [1][2] | |
E Martin Hatcher (September 19, 1927 – December 27, 2023) was a college professor and Democratic state senator from Colorado, U.S. He served two terms in the state senate, from 1975 to 1983.[2] Born in Ada, Oklahoma, he moved with his family to Denver as a child, then after finishing college he moved to Gunnison, Colorado and began teaching at Western State College (now Western Colorado University), where he taught for 44 years.[1]
Elections[edit]
Hatcher first ran for the state senate in 1974. He ran unopposed in the Democratic Primary. In the general election, he initially faced long-term incumbent Republican Harry M. Locke, who had served in the state senate since 1951. However, Locke died in October 1974, a month after winning the Republican primary. A Republican vacancy committee appointed John B. Shawcroft to replace Locke, but the general election ballots had already been printed, forcing Shawcroft to wage a write-in campaign. Hatcher won handily. He was re-elected in 1978.[2][3]
Senate leadership position[edit]
Hatcher served as the Senate Minority Caucus Chair from 1981 to 1982.[4]
Personal life and death[edit]
Hatcher's official first name is simply the letter E, without a period. To friends and family, he was known as Marty. He married Maxine Millikin, who predeceased him, in 1948.[1] He held a bachelor's, a master's, and a doctoral degree from the University of Denver. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a cryptographic technician in Fairbanks, Alaska and was honorably discharged in 1946.[5] He died on December 27, 2023, in Gunnison.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "E Martin "Marty" Hatcher". Gunnison Country Times. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Martin Hatcher (D)". Colorado Secretary of State. n.d. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Salida Senator Harry Locke dies". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. October 14, 1974. p. 8.
- ^ "E. Martin Hatcher". Legislator History Database — Colorado legislators past and present. Colorado General Assembly. n.d. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Senate memorial 24-002: Concerning memorializing former senator E Martin "Marty" Hatcher" (PDF). Colorado General Assembly. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.