David Hartley

1931 - 2025

After experiencing a brief illness, David William Hartley passed away in Burlingame, CA on May 23, 2025. He was 94 years old.

Dave-as he was commonly known by friends-was born in Port Townsend, WA on February 16, 1931, the son of James and Jane (née Tweedie) Hartley. In the following years, the family would gain two additional children-brother Robert Michael (Mike), born in 1933, and sister Margaret Jean, born in 1939.

During the 1930s, James Hartley, worked as a radio operator for Pan American Airways, flying routes to Asia and Australia during the company's romantic "Clipper" service era. While Hartley's family would never travel with him to those exotic, far-away destinations, the nature of his work, nonetheless, required their moving quite often. (During Dave's childhood, he would live in multiple Washington State locations as well as Livingston, MT and even remote Fairbanks, AK.) The Hartley family finally settled in San Mateo, CA in time for Dave to finish his formal education at San Mateo High School, and, tired of moving, Dave would remain a Peninsula resident for the remainder of his life.

Shortly after finishing high school in 1949, Dave began working for the State of California's "Division of Highways" (later known as Caltrans), and the entry-level, road-maintenance job would later evolve into a long-term, management-level career. By the time of his 2005 retirement, Dave had served the citizens of California for more than 55 years-the longest tenured Caltrans worker ever at that time.

In 1952, Dave would marry Beverly Amable, and the union produced one daughter, Jill. Sadly, the relationship did not last, and in 1955, the couple parted ways. Coinciding with his time of marriage, Dave was engaged with military service-first with the National Guard, then drafted into an active-duty U.S. Army hitch, including time in post-conflict Korea. True to his character, Dave always spoke glowingly of his time in the military, considering it positive opportunity rather than any form of burden.

An avid hot rodder in his early years, Dave built and raced a number of hot "street machines" during the 1950s and eventually graduated to driving the Peninsula Hi-Winders' '34 Ford coupe in drag competition by 1957. Consistent twelve-second quarter-mile times put the team in the winner's circle on all but one occasion.

In 1959, Dave married Loretta (Lore) Froman, and together with Lore's young daughter, Susan, the new family built a joyful and lasting home in Millbrae, CA. In Lore, Dave found his true soulmate-beyond their deep and pure love for each other, the two shared a number of interests, including passions for outdoor activity and antique collecting. Their marriage would endure for over 50 years, until Lore's passing in 2010.

Despite his lacking any actual relatives in the Bay Area, Dave was still surrounded by many caring and dedicated friends in his final years-his adopted "family." The regular visits and support he received were a testament to his impeccable character and generosity of spirit. To know Dave was to be touched by a man of boundless compassion, respect, and humility, as well as a deep appreciation for all of the things that a life well-lived had brought his way.

Even from afar, Dave's "blood" family-members were incredibly supportive of him in his later life. Chief among them were his sister and brother-in-law-Margaret and Mike Bird of Tacoma, WA-who lovingly attended to his health care and personal needs after Dave's daughter, Susan's, passing. Additional surviving family include son-in-law, Richard Beal, nephews Eric Hartley, Bruce Hartley and Chris Lobdell, as well as many wonderful cousins throughout North America, including Honduras.