The Ralph and Anne Hatch Family Arts, Music, and Education Fund (Ralph 1924 – 2018, Anne 1920 – ) supports arts, music, and education in the Seward area through the Seward Community Foundation. The Fund was established in honor of their participation and support of the arts and music community in Seward for nearly 100 years. Ralph was six years old in 1930 when his family moved to Seward from Unalaska, where his parents grew up and married at the Jesse Lee Home.
He loved singing and music of all kinds, both as a participant and in the audience. He was active in supporting touring musicians and made sure his five children had musical educations. His daughter quotes him saying that of anything in the world, music gave him the greatest joy.
In 1946, high school teacher Anne Arriving from Washington led the choir and library, served Seward Memorial United Methodist Church as church organist for 50 years, played for many Seward weddings and funerals, and directed large and small choirs.
When her children were older, she returned to teaching and retired as an elementary teacher serving several generations of children. They both continued to attend local music events into their 90’s.
The purpose of the Ralph and Anne Hatch Family Arts, Music & Education Fund is to support art, music, and general education opportunities including, but not limited to visual arts education, music, education, exposure to and participation in theater and performing arts, other art forms and general education for the community of Seward including students in Seward elementary, middle and high schools through organizations like Seward PTA and Seward Arts Council. If there comes a time when there is no need in the area of art, music, and education, funds may be directed to other areas of need in the Seward and Moose Pass communities.