 Hatch was born in 1940 in Pullman, Washington.His father, a college professor, could trace his ancestors back 14 generations to the first Pilgrim baby born in the New World.His mother, born in Costa Rica, had ancestors which included an authentic conquistador, a railway-builder, and a co-founder of Pan American World Airlines

After high school in Massachusetts and a BA in History from Johns Hopkins University, in July 1962 Hatch joined the Peace Corps for a 2-year tour of duty in Colombia.