Dr. Harold C. Tretbar

1931 - 2025

Dr. Harold (Hal) Tretbar, 94, completed the final chapter of his adventurous life story on July 15, 2025. Hal had the opportunity to say his goodbyes and died peacefully, surrounded by family, while listening to his favorite Dixieland Jazz music. Hal was always seeking his next interesting activity or travel destination. If asked, "Have you...?" he often replied, "Well, I have a story about that." Hal was born in the small town of Stafford, Kansas, in March 1931, to Dr. J.J. and Gladys Tretbar. When Hal and his brother, Larry, were still young, their parents put cameras in their hands and took them traveling in the family car. By the time he graduated from Southwestern. College, Hal had traveled to all 48 states, as well as into Mexico and Canada, which sparked a lifelong passion for photography. Hal graduated from Kansas University Medical School in 1956. While in medical school, Hal was set up on a blind date with the beautiful nursing student, Dorothy Lott. They were married for nearly 63 years, until her death in 2018. Hal, Dorothy, and their two small boys, Bruce and Brian, spent several years in Germany, where Hal was a Captain in the US Army's 3rd Armored Division. Hal bought his first Porsche while stationed in Germany; Porsches became his second lifelong love, second only to Dorothy. David and Nancy joined the family while Hal was a Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic. The Tretbars then headed west to Tucson in 1965, where Hal practiced Rheumatology and Internal Medicine as part of a group practice at the Tucson Clinic. Hal's professional accomplishments included being named Pima County Medical Society Physician of the Year and having an active role in establishing Intergroup Healthcare HMO. Despite numerous career accomplishments, the achievement Hal was most proud of was climbing to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on his 65th birthday. Hal documented his extensive travels through the lens of his many cameras. Between the 1990s and 2010s, his travel photos were published in Arizona Highways magazine, the Arizona Daily Star travel section, and the monthly publications of the Pima County Medical Society's Sombrero magazine. Hal was an active member of the SAR Porsche Club of America and contributed many stories and photographs to their publications. He also belonged to the Foothills Forum and was on the Advisory Committee for the University of Arizona Arthritis Center. In 2019, Hal attended a presentation given by Karma Kientzler, who was also on the advisory committee. Hal asked her out on a date, and they became close companions until her death in November 2024. Hal and Karma shared many laughs together and enjoyed traveling around Arizona. After she passed, he stated that he "had a hole in his heart," as he missed her dearly. Hal was also an avid UA Wildcat basketball fan and had the same seats since McKale Center was built in 1973. When not yelling "Bear Down," he would "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" when watching his second-favorite team, Kansas University. Hal shared his keen sense of humor during family dinners; hilarious conversations would ensue, often going in unexpected directions. In addition to his children, Bruce Tretbar, Brian Tretbar, David Tretbar (Amber), and Nancy Wheelock, Hal is survived by his three grandchildren: C.J.Wheelock, Megan Burns, and Terra Myers-Tretbar. The extended family includes Doranne Miller, Jim Wheelock, Molly Myers, Kara Tretbar, Eli Schneider and Jason Brown. Hal's Celebration of Life will be held on September 27, 2025, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Savoy Opera House, Trail Dust Town.