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Harold Robert Hartman, 94

Harold Robert Hartman, longtime Garfield school principal, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at The Courtyard in Colfax, Wash. He was 94.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in the ballroom at Hill-Ray Plaza in Colfax.

Harold was born Aug. 25, 1923, in Farmington, Wash., to George and Justina Fischer Hartman. Harold was the middle child between his older brother, Gene and younger sister, Helen. The family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Harold grew up and attended school. He played basketball during high school and earned the nickname “buckets” that stayed with him throughout his life. He was often referred to as “Bob” during his high school years.

Harold graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1941 and began to further his education at Eastern Washington University. Harold worked in the lumber mills along the Spokane River too. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was trained as a meteorologist and weather forecasting. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and went back to Eastern to complete his degree. Harold received his master’s in education and began teaching and coaching basketball for the seventh- and eighth-grade classes in Garfield, Wash. He was named the principal in Garfield four years later and remained in that post until his retirement in 1982. Harold was known as a strict principal, but was well liked by many of his students and faculty.

He met Pat (Shere) Hayfield on a blind date and they went together for about a year before they married on Christmas Day 1967 in Spokane. They made their home in Colfax. Harold played softball for several years and was talented enough to find himself inducted into the softball hall of fame in Spokane. He also loved to golf and bowled for many years including for leagues in Pullman, Wash., and Colfax.

Following his teaching career, Harold became a Realtor and sold property around Whitman County for nearly 15 years. He loved basketball and attended EVERY Cougar basketball home game usually with Pat by his side. He was a member of the Cougar Club for many years and a lifetime member of the Legion and Elk’s clubs. One of his favorite things to do in 2013 was going on the honor flight from Spokane, Wash. They enjoyed traveling to Hawaii or to the Oregon Coast and made several trips to each over the years.

Harold is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Pat; two children, Debi (Phil) Hergert of Colfax and John (Holly) Hayfield of Aiken, S.C.; five grandsons, Brian Rhodes, Steve Rhodes, Rob Hayfield, Riley Hayfield and Andrew Zimmerman; and by one great-granddaughter, Estelle Rhodes. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Friends of Hospice, Whitman Hospital Foundation, the Colfax Golf Course or the Plymouth Congregational Church in Colfax.

Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family. Online guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com.