Bill Hatke, rest in peace
William F. Hatke aka. Bill, a long time resident of Lawrence Kansas, reportedly died September 7, 2007 at the age of 61. I’ve heard that he’d been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, and that he died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Bill Hatke played by his own rules. When I was in my twenties, I heard about a man who lived in Lawrence off the grid, independently of city services like electricity, gas and water. I had to meet him. Through friends, I set up an interview, went to his house and taped a long conversation on a borrowed tape recorder. My expectations were that Bill would be a strident advocate for environmental stewardship. What I came to realize was that Bill wasn’t a zealot, living a life of self-sacrifice in order to serve the greater good; but that he treasured autonomy and worked hard to have it. He got up when he wanted, and lived off the fruit of his own labor - beholden to nothing and no one. He was a hermit in a crowd, and had a rich social life. Many people knew him through playing games–chess, scrabble, bridge, raquetball. He was an active participant in the community, regularly participated in the Peace Vigils in front of the courthouse in Lawrence. He had a doctorate, had been in a seminary, and apparently was a military veteran, eligible for Veterans Affairs benefits.
More links:
Knew Bill 25-30 years. Through bridge (20 years plus), gossip (as sport and to keep up with wide circles of friends), peace vigil (last five years)
He has been a good friend to me and my family and many many friends over the years. A rich life, social and otherwise. You’ve got him to a t, I think.
He did start using electricity the last few years. He gardened most of the year and wrote on an old computer during the winter months.
I never knew his middle name though till I checked your links to his scholarly work.
Thanks for the links and happy trails to you!
Comment by Bob Marvin — October 2, 2007 @ 5:16 am