East Bay Mourns Loss of World's Oldest Man

William McKinley was in office, Hawaii was annexed and the roller coaster was patented. The year was 1898 and Andrew Hatch, the man whose life would ultimately span three centuries and earn him the title of the world’s oldest man, was born in Louisiana. More than 117 years later, Hatch has died, according to Inside Bay Area.

Although there are a few conflicting records suggesting he might have only been 111, Hatch, who was believed to be born on Oct. 7, 1898, qualified as a supercentenarian— someone over the age of 110. Even at 111, he was considered the oldest man in the country.

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• World’s Unofficial Oldest Man is Oakland’s Own

Hatch, a former world traveler, cab driver and blacksmith lived in Oakland for more than 80 years and truly enjoyed the simpler things, like a good back scratch, his daughter Delane Sims told Patch in a previous article. According to Sims, who was his full-time caregiver, if you asked Hatch how he was doing, he would tell you, ”I‘m doing 100 in the shade and 1 on ice.”

Inside Bay Area reported Hatch died at his daughter’s home on Jan. 18. Full article found here.

Photo of Andrew Hatch courtesy Delane Sims.