Dr. Gary Hartman

HARTMAN, GARY DR. (1942-2002) Dr. Gary Hartman died Friday in his home. Dr. Hartman was born in Cincinnati 1942 and lived in San Diego County since 1971 when he trained as a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Children ' s Hospital, San Diego. Dr. Hartman was known for his intelligence and compassion, and helped pioneer the use of hypnosis to ease pain in children with cancer. He strived to improve resources for hemophiliac patients and their families, guiding a shift from crisis-driven treatments to dignified, sustainable care. In 1991 Dr. Hartman became an analyst for the division of Social Security Disability. He served his community widely, including training as a Hospice volunteer. Dr. Hartman actively pursued Jewish and Buddhist spirituality and was a founding member of the Elijah Minyan. Towards the end of his life Dr. Hartman turned his medical and spiritual training on himself. He discussed his illness as a journey in a series of open letters, "The Cancer Dance Chronicles" which he published as a website: www.cancer-dance-chronicles.org. Dr. Hartman served as an Army doctor in Vietnam, where he received a Bronze Star for improving relations between the American and Vietnamese people. He was proceeded in death by his father, Harry Hartman in 1955, his mother Tille Hartman in 1988, and his sister Elaine Dietch Patterson in 1999. Dr. Hartman is survived by his wife Ellyn Wade Hartman, four children, Karen, Aaron, Benjamin and Katie Hartman, a daughter-in-law Nicole Fix, a brother-in-law Duane Patterson, a niece Marcy Johnson, and nephew Michael Dietch and William Johnson. Funeral arrangements will be handled by El Camino Mortuary. 858/453-2121. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of North Coast, 5421 Avenida Encinitas, Carlsbad Ca., 92008.