Robert Alan Hartzell

October 9, 1919 - May 20, 2007

Robert A. “Bob” Hartzell passed away peacefully Sunday at his home after a long, full life. Bob was born in Aurora, Ill., to Helbert H. and Helen (Humiston) Hartzell. He grew up on a farm in Ipswich, S.D., and graduated from Ipswich High School in 1938. Bob moved to Oregon and served five years during World War II as a staff sergeant with HQ Battery Harbor Def Columbia, U.S. Army, serving at Fort Stevens. After the service, he worked for Pacific Northwest Bell for 35 years before retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Friends of Old Fort Stevens. Bob enjoyed the outdoors and fishing, but his greatest joy was his family and friends. Surviving him is wife Geneva (Conover) Hartzell; daughter and son-in-law Susan A. and Lyle Johnson; daughter Heidi A. Omstead; son James A. Hartzell; granddaughter Macy Anne Hartzell Omstead; grandsons Dakota James Hartzell and Randy Jacob Burroughs; brother Warren; and sisters Dorothy, Betty, Fern and Gayle. A private family service will be held. “The heart’s keen anguish only those can tell, who’ve bid the dearest and the best farewell.”