Stephen Louis Hartman

Stephen Louis Hartman A long time resident of Rancho Mirage, Calif., Stephen Louis Hartman passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2009, joining his long missed wife and high school sweetheart, Beverly Ina Hartman, who died Aug. of 1993, after 50 years of marriage. Stephen was born in New York, Dec 1, 1918, to Isidore Hartman and Fanny Bruch, immigrants from Austria. He had one brother, Robert Ruben Hartman, who died on the same day four years earlier. After three years of College at St. John's University, a leading Catholic University in Brooklyn, NY, Stephen left for military service in 1943. After the war he returned to graduate, majoring in accounting. Stephen served in the United Stated Army Signal Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He was first assigned to the Army Air Force where he earned an AAF Technician's badge, then to advanced radio schools, where he became an instructor, and finally a highly skilled radio operator with the 333rd Signal Company in the South Pacific. Stephen was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, along with the American Theatre Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. Most of Stephen's work life was spent with AJ Schneierson & Son, a NY lingerie manufacturer where he became a long term vice-president in charge of chain store sales. Stephen has lived continuously in Rancho Mirage, Calif., since 1975. Surrounded by good friends and good neighbors, he has lived quietly, a regular donor to many charities, a good friend, a good conversationalist, current, wise and opinionated about the world around him. But Stephen's true love was his wife, Beverly, who he married in 1942, just before leaving for his military service. Although she was just 21, Beverly seemed to sense in advance each station to which Stephen was to be transferred , and arrived there before him to set up their household. When Stephen was discharged in 1946, after returning from the South Pacific, Beverly was there to greet him. Both Stephen and Beverly both wanted children but were unable to have any. Theirs a true love story, each devoted to the other. Beverly died first, of a lengthy and painful lung disease, but Stephen stayed by her bedside, caring for her, their last four years together, and kept her memory alive by staying in regular touch with her friends and family. Stephen's remains have been cremated, and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean, finally joining his beloved wife, Beverly. A kind, gentle and loving man. Services are to be held May 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Temple Siani, 73251 Hovley Lane West, Palm Desert, CA