Robert Marshall Hartman

In Loving Memory of Robert Marshall “Bob” Hartman

“Your husband may be the mailman, but it took me to deliver the male!” the doctor proudly announced on Jan. 7, 1939. And so, Bertha and Robert Lee Hartman welcomed their third child, Robert Marshall, who would join big sisters Diane and Nellie on Peach Street in Philadelphia, PA. “Bobby” would soon be joined by younger brother, Jack, rounding out their happy clan.

Bob was always drawn to water, and to life. At age 14, during a camping trip, Bob dove into the water and rescued a drowning man. He received the Boy Scout Certificate of Heroism.

Naturally extroverted and social, Bob attended Upper Darby High School. There, he had a wonderful time, and proudly set a record for cutting classes during his senior year. Remarkably, he graduated, and began work as an apprentice draftsman at the Philadelphia Naval Air Engineering Facility, where he excelled and was encouraged to go to college. While serving as a U.S. Army Reservist in the Helicopter Maintenance School, he worked his way through college and graduate school, earning his BS in Aerospace Engineering and Master of Engineering Science degrees. During this time, Bob earned numerous academic awards and scholarships, and was inducted into national engineering honor societies.

He worked for many years as a professional engineer, and was part of the teams which designed the Command Module of NASA’s Apollo Spacecraft, enabling U.S. astronauts to land on the moon; the U.S. Navy’s top-secret Polaris Missile Launcher, a moving-submarine-launched rocket which became the primary means of deterring nuclear war during that time; the U.S. Navy’s Steam Catapult Aircraft Launcher, made famous in “Top Gun” movies and still used worldwide to propel supersonic fighter jets off of aircraft carriers; the Umbaugh Autogyro aircraft; as well as the Sea Knight, Chinook and Sea Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps, Army and Navy. Bob used to joke that the “Heavy Lift Helicopter” (HLH) acronym was the basis for his daughter’s initials.

After a successful career working in the aerospace and environmental industries, Bob earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and brought his creativity and ingenuity to academia, becoming a college professor. He conducted countless experiments in his beloved wind tunnel; published groundbreaking research; and designed numerous original inventions, including a novel rudder intended for the U.S. Racing Team in the America’s Cup. In 1992, Bob ran for the PA House of Representatives to improve people’s daily lives by devising practical solutions to complex problems.

But Bob’s family was his proudest accomplishment. In 1965, he married a hometown girl from Upper Darby, Damaris Frederick, and was her devoted husband for the rest of his life. A wonderful father, Bob spent countless hours at the band recitals and sporting events of son, Glenn, and daughter, Heather. And when each of Bob’s four grandchildren came along—Lauren, Andrew, Justin and Rachel—he was over the moon.

Always a hero to his family, Bob lived and loved with all his heart. He loved the warmth of summer, the sunlight glittering across the whitecapped bay, and a strong wind bringing his sailboat to life. He loved lifting his kids “fireman style” upstairs to bed, and hearing them squeal with delight. He loved big bands and jazz and classical music blaring from his “hi fi.” He loved collecting sea stories, wood carving, golf, and going out for hamburgers with his buddies. He loved his pet dogs, and doted on them. He loved cold Chef Boyardee spaghetti, straight out of the can. He loved the Mummers’ string bands on New Year’s Day. He loved coffee and donuts before church. He loved the smell of a storm approaching, followed by the claps of thunder, and sitting on the porch to watch. The little boy from Peach Street always loved Breyers’ peach ice cream. And like the doctor who had delivered him, he loved puns and laughter and life.

For his family, autumn came early in 2023, when Bob’s beautiful mind came to rest. On October 5, he was welcomed home by his personal lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Bob’s family will sprinkle his ashes on the Chesapeake Bay when the weather warms. And so, his memory will live in the ebb and flow of the sunlit water, as in our hearts, until we are joyfully reunited with him.

Bob is survived by wife Damaris Frederick Hartman; son Glenn Marshall Hartman (Linda); daughter Heather Lummus Steffl (Scott); grandchildren Lauren Lummus, Andrew Lummus, Justin Hartman, and Rachel Hartman; and sister Diane Huff; and predeceased by sister Nellie York; brother Jack Hartman; and parents Bertha Marple Hartman and Robert Lee Hartman.

Bob’s precious life will be celebrated on November 11 at Oxford Presbyterian Church, with family visitation at 10 AM and a memorial service at 11 AM, followed by refreshments. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (410-268-8816 or cbf.org).