Henry Lee "Hank" Hartman

Henry Lee "Hank" Hartman, 70, Hays, died Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at his home.

He was born in McCook, Nebraska on October 28, 1947, to Harold V. Hartman and Bertha A. Pettera.  He lived most of his life in Herndon, Kansas, and later in Hays, Kansas.

He attended elementary and high school in Herndon and also St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and spent a year in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, earning the rank of Sergeant. Upon his return to the states, he enrolled at Fort Hays State University. There he met his future wife, Cathy Hartman. They married in 1969, and lived in both Wichita and Kansas City before returning to Hays in 1971.  He graduated from Fort Hays in 1974 with a BS degree in Business.

Hank, as he was called, by those close to him, worked in construction for Shade Construction and Reever Construction then later started his own company, Alright Construction, along with partner, Larry Knox.  In 1981, he started a new company, Kleerwater Pools and Spas that he and Cathy have operated until the present day. 

Survivors include former wife, Cathy; two sons; Craig Hartman and wife Mindy of Gardner, Kansas, Austin Hartman and wife Janie of Arvada, Colorado; two daughters; Jenessa Hartman and husband Mo Ayach of Hood River, Oregon, and Elizabeth Hartman and partner Thomas of Russell, Kansas, two sisters: Natalie Hafner of Redding, California and Julita Hauptman of Granada Hills, California, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son; Bryan J. Hartman.

Henry enjoyed vacationing in Colorado where he spent time with his Grandpa Pettera as a boy. He traveled to many different places as an adult and enjoyed seeing other cultures. He enjoyed playing pool and poker with his friends in addition to boating, fishing, and classic cars. He was a loving father to his children and very proud of all of their accomplishments. Henry had a deep faith in God. He was very generous to his friends and family and was known for helping people who were in need, even complete strangers. His heart was solid gold.  He was a leader, a builder and a doer all of his life and constructed many dwellings and commercial structures, and many more swimming pools across Kansas and surrounding states for everyone to use and enjoy.  Being a leader, he taught and influenced many of his co-workers and employees throughout the years, affecting many lives.  He will be missed.

Graveside services with Fr. Leo Blasi officiating and military honors by the Fort Riley U.S. Army 1st Inf. Div. funeral detail will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, WaKeeney.  Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans or to the Hays VFW Post #9076, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays,KS 67601.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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