From the 1880’s to the 1970’s public interest in  roller skating has fallen in and out of popularity. Northeastern Pennsylvania was home to numerous roller rinks that were enjoyed by the public for both entertainment and competitive events. Chronicling the history of sports in this region would be incomplete without mention of one man buried in the Dunmore Cemetery who contributed to sporting history in a unique way.

Born in Scranton in 1898, Roy D. Hatcher was the son of Phillip and Emma Kline Hatcher. Educated in local schools, Hatcher began working for the Scranton Stove Works as a teenager. He continued to work for the Stove Works for the next thirty years but in his spare time built a career at the local roller-skating rinks in Scranton. 

Hatcher began his sporting run in his youth by competing at local roller-skating rinks in 1914. By 1916, Hatcher held the Northeastern Pennsylvania roller skating title for the best time in a one-mile skate. Over the years, Hatcher competed against and aligned with local competitive skaters in matches, vying to win purses throughout the valley. In addition to skating competitively, over the next four decades Hatcher would referee,  instruct others for skating competitions and become one of the most prominent boxing, wrestling and roller-skating promoters in the region.

Hatcher also operated the Exeter Roller Skating Rink in Exeter, Pennsylvania, the Lew-Roy/Rollercade in Wilkes-Barre and Lew-Roy Rink on Mulberry Street in Scranton. In 1941 Hatcher and his wife embarked on a road trip of the southern United States. 

This began an eight year stretch of traveling almost 10,000 miles visiting roller rinks across the United States. Hatcher attributed this to his success, citing that observation of rinks in other parts of the country generated ideas that were implemented locally. Hatcher also noted that listening to his customers was key to a thriving business. 

Continually adapting, Hatcher installed air conditioning, electric program boards, crystal balls, skate rentals, electric signs, and electric organs  in his establishments. 

Hatcher also participated in a local program to provide free or reduced rate admission to recreational venues to Army enlistees going through processing at the Scranton Army recruiting center. Enlistees would often be in town overnight and numerous religious and social organizations along with local businesses stepped up to meet the spiritual and recreational needs of the future service members.

For almost two decades, Hatcher operated the South Main Street Armory in Wilkes-Barre. In addition to roller skating, boxing, wrestling, and amateur  matches were highlighted regularly at the Armory. Two evenings a week were reserved for children accompanied by a parent to participate in boxing parties. In the fall of 1950, Hatcher proudly brought regular roller derby shows to the Armory, drawing in teams from all over the United States. 

Roy Hatcher, skating enthusiast and sports promoter, died at his home in Scranton on September 5, 1956, from coronary thrombosis. He was laid to rest in Section 13 of the Dunmore Cemetery.