Dr. Cleve Hart Hartman

Dr. Cleve Hart Hartman, age 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 9, 2025. Cleve was born on May 19, 1947, in Omaha, Nebraska and was the son of Shirley (Hart) and Herbert Hartman. He was a respected and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and physician.

Cleve’s childhood years were fun and adventurous living at the Hartman Farm in Oshkosh, Nebraska. He grew up hunting, fishing, riding horses, moving cattle, and helping his dad maintain the land. Cleve always said his dad was the hardest worker he ever met and where he learned his steadfast work ethic. Cleve was especially close to his mother, and they shared a wicked sense of humor, love for books, dogs, and politics. He loved being a big brother to Dana and Shelie and was able to have a close relationship with them throughout his life.

Cleve graduated from Garden County High School in 1965 and went on to proudly attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Cleve married his high school sweetheart Cathy Haddix on October 28, 1966, in Lincoln, Nebraska at the United Methodist Church on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Theirs was a love story for the ages and Cleve credited Cathy as an equal partner in his success. From an early age Cleve knew he wanted to become a doctor. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Cleve and Cathy moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he pursued a medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Cleve graduated from UNMC in 1974 and completed his family practice residency at UNMC in 1977.

Upon finishing his residency, Cleve and Cathy moved their young family to North Platte, Nebraska where he was a solo family medicine practitioner for over 30 years. Dr. Hartman loved being a family physician in North Platte and was on the medical staff at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. His devotion to his practice often meant long nights, busy weekends, and house calls, but Dr. Hartman found joy and meaning in his work. Throughout his years of practice he helped heal and care for generations of patients’ families and welcomed many new lives into the world. Dr. Hartman was the definition of a diligent and caring family physician.

Cleve’s greatest joy in life was being a dad to his children Holly, Heather, and Jason. He spent every moment he could attending their sporting events and activities. Cleve enjoyed taking his family water skiing at Lake McConaughy and snow skiing in Colorado. He also loved the New York Mets, playing chess, reading, listening to music, miniature schnauzers, goose hunting, and Husker Volleyball. Cleve’s happiest moments were when Cathy decorated the entire house, and the family was home celebrating Christmas.

After retirement, Cleve and Cathy moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to be closer to family and joyfully celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with their entire family present. Cleve was a loving grandpa and wholeheartedly cherished attending his grandchildren’s events. He was especially proud to be able to see all his grandchildren graduate from high school.

Dr. Cleve Hart Hartman is survived by his daughters, Holly Hartman Glenn (Dustin Kellner), Heather Stroh (Stephen) and son, Jason Hartman (Holly), and his cherished grandchildren: Chloe, Shelbe, Jacie, Joshua, Josie and Austin, and bonus granddaughter Kaelie Kellner. He will be missed by his sisters, Shelie Hartman-Gibbs (Gerald) and Dana Hartman, sister-in-law Mary Jo Mathews (Bill), and brothers-in-law Jim Haddix (Becky), Lynn Haddix, Donald Haddix (Justine), Perry Haddix (Nancy), as well as nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years Cathy May, his parents, Herbert and Shirley Hartman and In-laws James Richard Haddix and Mary Jo Haddix.

In lieu of flowers kindly donate in Dr. Cleve Hartman’s name to:

Fur Animal Rescue

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