Dr. Thomas Hartman

1953 - 2014

(News article) Dr. Thomas Hartman, a veterinarian who, even as a child at his grandparents' farm, found animals fascinating, died Dec. 12 at home in the Shoreland neighborhood of North Toledo. He was 61.

"He had diabetes and every complication," his wife, Lynn, said.

The severity of his condition forced him to retire in 2002 from Shoreland Animal Hospital, where he treated dogs and cats, but also snakes, birds, guinea pigs, and hamsters.

"He knew as a kid he wanted to be a vet," his wife said.

"He was the kind of vet who would sit down on the floor, and the dog would be in his lap. The clients loved it," she said. "He got down on their level and did the exam down there, and it made it much easier. He loved veterinary medicine. He loved the science and the interaction with the animals and the people, and he loved challenging cases."

His favorite pastime, fishing, and his sense of comedy helped him through his involuntary retirement.

For his July 4 birthday, "we always had an incredible Fourth of July birthday celebration, and everyone would get him a gag gift," his wife said. Guests might find him wearing a traffic cone on his head.

"He was just a comic," his wife said.

Cousin Ray Isackila, a regular fishing companion, said: "Tom's sense of humor was self-effacing and never making fun of other people. And he was truly hilarious at making fun of himself.

"His attitude was making the best out of every day, regardless of how poorly he felt," Mr. Isackila said.

Dr. Hartman was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, the son of Ruth "JoMarie" and the Rev. David Hartman. He and his brother, David, older by 19 months, made frequent visits as children to their grandparents' farm near Slippery Rock, Pa.

"They had chickens, pigs, horses, a couple of dairy cattle, a couple of beef cattle, goats," his brother said. That experience taught "how animals need to be loved and treated. The stories are endless. The book needs to be written on that guy."

He was a graduate of Springfield North High School in Springfield, Ohio, and received a bachelor's degree in biology from Westminster College in New Castle, Pa. He received a master's degree in animal husbandry from Ohio State University in 1977, working in swine research. He received a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1984.

He joined a practice in Spencerville, Ohio, and in 1990 moved to Claremont, N.H., to join a similar sort of practice - household pets, and also large animals and calls for help from farmers at any hour.

"How many dates did we go on that was a calving," his wife said. "I used to help him on farm calls all the time."

An elk farm was a regular stop, recalled Dr. Cindy Porter, a colleague still in Claremont.

"He was extremely compassionate with clients," Dr. Porter said. "In heartbreaking, difficult situations, he would always carry with him his sense of humor to bring light to anything. He was one of the most intelligent people I know."

He found the position at Shoreland Animal Hospital in the mid-1990s when he decided to return to Ohio, where family members remained, and to leave large animal care behind.

"He had been beaten up enough by the cows and horses," his wife said. "They don't stand there and cooperate for the most part. He had his share of bumps and bruises, that's for sure."

Surviving are his wife, Lynnette Hartman, whom he married March 3, 1989; sons, Adam and Noah Hartman, and brother, David Halttunen.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today in Messiah Lutheran Church in Point Place, where he was a member. Arrangements are by the Jasin-Hoening Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to the American Diabetes Association or the church.

This story was written by Blade staff writer Mark Zaborney. Contact him at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.