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In memoriam: Ronald Hatch (1939–2021)

November 29th, 2021

Ron Hatch and former ABPBC Executive Director Margaret Reynolds at the presentation of the Jim Douglas Publisher of the Year Award to Ronsdale Press in 2014.

We were saddened to learn of the death of our colleague, Dr. Ronald Hatch, publisher of Vancouver’s Ronsdale Press and associate professor emeritus in UBC’s English Department. He died in Vancouver on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, peacefully and with his family by his side. The Association of Book Publishers of BC extends condolences to Ron’s family, including his wife Veronica and their children Chris and Kevin, and to all those who knew and worked with him.

Ron served on the board of the Association of Book Publishers of BC throughout his publishing career, most recently between 2011–2018. In 2014, Ronsdale Press was awarded the Jim Douglas Publisher of the Year Award for its commitment to publishing work from and about British Columbia.

In 1988, Ron and Veronica Hatch took over Cacanadadada Press with the aim of publishing books that would give Canadians new insights into themselves and their country. When asked why he bought the press, Ron simply said, “I felt I could add something.” The press’ name was changed to Ronsdale Press, an amalgamation of Ron and “Ronny” (Veronica’s nickname) and Veronica’s maiden name, Lonsdale. 

The press now has more than 300 titles in print, including regional history, biography, poetry, fiction, and children’s/YA. Their books have appeared on the BC Bestseller List, won numerous awards, and have been translated into foreign language editions. 

The commendation for the 2014 Jim Douglas Award made note of the publication of Clayoquot & Dissent in 1994, as a defining moment for the press. Edited by Ron and Veronica Hatch, the book was an account of the 1993 protest against the decision to allow logging in Clayoquot Sound’s old growth forest. During the protest, Ron himself was arrested and sentenced to community service, probation and 20 days’ electronic surveillance. “We were never allowed to say anything substantial or meaningful in the trial, so we did the book,” Ron said.

Ron’s kindness and collegiality within the publishing community will be well remembered alongside his contributions to arts and letters in this province. We will miss him greatly.

A memorial for Ron Hatch will take place on Sunday, Dec. 12, 1:00 p.m. at UBC’s Green College in Vancouver.  As there are capacity restrictions, the family asks that you use this Eventbrite link to RSVP.

For those interested in making a monetary donation in Ron’s memory, the family has set up a memorial donation page at UBC in Ron’s name. Funds raised will go to the English department and will be directed in conversation with the family. Alternatively, the family is also encouraging donations to the Western Canada Wilderness Committee in Ron’s name. This is a local non-profit Ron supported for decades. The ABPBC has made donation on behalf of the membership to both causes.

Other remembrances of Ron Hatch from the last week:

Pictured in photo: Ron Hatch and former ABPBC Executive Director Margaret Reynolds at the presentation of the Jim Douglas Publisher of the Year Award to Ronsdale Press in 2014.