Art Hartman

Previously sighted elbow-deep in hydraulics with his tie slung over his shoulder, deep in a quiet wood with a shotgun in the crook of his arm, asleep beneath an intimidating non-fiction publication, or ankle-deep in his woodshop sawdust, Arthur Page Hartman, a modern-day polymath, passed away in Mattawan, Michigan at the age of 84 on Tuesday, December 10th.

Born to the late Ruth Page Hartman and Arthur F. Hartman in 1940 in South Haven, MI, and having spent his boyhood exploring in the creeks, ponds, and woods of Breedsville, MI, he graduated from South Haven High School then went on to earn a degree in Botany from Michigan State. His career in regional sales of automotive industry hydraulics meant he knew every road, lane and sleeper-hit restaurant in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana, but what he lived for were his garden, orchids, peonies, hunting, and woodworking.

After meeting Patricia King in Saugatuck, MI, they married in 1965 and celebrated 59 years together – travelling and gardening side by side. They made their first home in Sandusky, MI before settling in Mattawan. At once able to build ornate pieces of antique-reproduction furniture by hand, solve complex physics problems, create new variant peony hybrids, explore ecosystems of Peruvian jungle butterfly species, and discuss details of early steam locomotives and their expansion westward, his quest for learning knew no bounds; his passion for reading, his steady companion and prime source of entertainment.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brothers: Robert W. (Susan) Hartman of West Olive, MI and Dr. George Hartman of Tryon, NC. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (King) Hartman; his son Brian Hartman of Paw Paw, MI; his daughter Joanna Hartman (Jeremy Olbrys), and his granddaughter Avalon Olbrys, all of Austin, TX.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial celebration will be announced at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Kalamazoo.