Edward Hartman

Edward Martin Hartman, age 94, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, died on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. He was born to John Frederick Christian Hartman and Anna Laura Malinda Waterman Hartman in New Bremen, Ohio on February 13, 1918. The second youngest of eight children, he helped his family survive the depression by making wooden boxes for the local creamery, delivering newspapers on both morning and evening routes, and other miscellaneous work when he could find it. The only one of his siblings to go to college, he lived under the stadium at Ohio State and worked in local restaurants to pay his rent and tuition while pursuing a degree in accounting. He graduated in 1940 and took his first job on Wall Street in New York City. He then worked for the same accounting firm in Detroit, MI during which time he earned his Certified Public Accountant designation. In 1941 he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. In 1943 he received commission as a 2nd Lieutenant while being trained at Harvard University. The next four years he served in the Air Corp as a Statistical Officer at various training bases. After discharge from the service in 1947, he moved to Clovis, NM to operate a CPA firm. In 1950, he was elected President of the New Mexico Society of CPA's. In 1951, he was appointed New Mexico State Finance Officer by Governor Edwin L. Mechem for four terms. In between terms he started his own natural gas company, Manana Gas, and lived and worked on projects in Artesia and Farmington. Later, Governor David Cargo appointed him to a fifth and sixth term as State Finance Director from 1967 to 1971. As Director of Finance he developed a reputation as an honest and competent public official, who was respected by members of both political parties. He resigned his position to run for Governor in 1970 and was defeated by Pete Domenici in the primary, who in turn lost the general election to Bruce King. He returned to private life and ran his natural gas company Manana Gas. In 1972 he was chairman of the Richard Nixon re-election committee and was active in New Mexico Republican party politics throughout his life. He was also active in community groups- a 32nd degree Mason for over 50 years, a member of the Albuquerque Petroleum club for 20 years, and member of the Albuquerque OB's club for over 20 years. He lived to work and showed up at his company office every morning at 8:00a.m. well into his 90's. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Hartman; his son, Doug Hartman; his daughter, Phyllis Hartman; and step-daughters, Mary Werner, Barbara Kruse, Debi Kruse, Mary Baker, Ann Hafliger; and numerous grandchildren and in-laws. Cremation will take place and a public Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013, 11:00 a.m., at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo del Norte NE, Albuquerque, 87111. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Sandia Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.