Burr C Hartman, DO, PHD Oct 20, 1942 - Jan 26, 2021
Burr Caldwell Hartman, a 1964 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, died peacefully at his beloved River House in Springville on January 26 2021. He was 78 years old. Burr was born on October 20, 1942, in Milwaukee, WI, to Howard Conrad Hartman and Frances Lydia Caldwell.
Following graduation from the Naval Academy with the rank of Lieutenant, Burr served on USS BROWNSON and as Missile Officer on USS PROVIDENCE in Vietnam. After his discharge from the Navy, he earned a PHD in Chemistry from UCSB and worked as a clinical chemist at Bioscience Laboratory in Los Angeles. He decided he wanted a medical degree and went back to school and earned a DO degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa. He did his residency in Pathology at Los Angeles County, USC Medical Center in Los Angeles and served as Laboratory Director at Los Angeles County High Desert Hospital in Lancaster, CA. Dr. Hartman was Board Certified in Clinical Chemistry, Anatomic & Clinical Pathology and Forensic Pathology. He worked as a Pathologist at Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville, CA, and also at Microcorre Diagnostic Lab with Drs. Gary Walter and John Zhang in supporting the
Tulare District Hospital. During his tenure there he performed hundreds of Coroner's cases for the Tulare, Kings and San Luis Obispo Counties' Sheriff's Offices. Needless to say, dinner time at the Hartman house was always interesting!
Burr loved to fly airplanes and soloed at age 16. He had his pilot's license until he could no longer pass the physical. He thoroughly enjoyed the out-of-doors, hiking, crosscountry skiing, back-packing in our National parks. He was a member of the Bakersfield Hash House Harriers and participated in their running events all over California, Oregon, Hawaii, Australia and Berlin. Burr met his wife, Susan, at the Springville Inn, and together, they traveled to many international locations. He loved to explore and have fun!
In 2014, Burr was diagnosed with high grade bladder cancer, and thanks to Dr. Karim Chamie, MD, and his team at UCLA Ronald Reagan, he survived seven years and would still be practicing Pathology were it not for the many complications from his treatment and surgeries. He loved his career and always said he would practice Pathology until he was 90 "if anybody would pay me." A published professional, Dr. Hartman was passionate about Continuing Education and regularly attended meetings and seminars to keep his knowledge current. He was a long-time member of the California Assn. of Toxicologists, the College of American Pathology, National Assn. of Medical Examiners, American
Assn. for Clinical Chemists and American Medical Association. Burr had an amazing intellect and an infinite recall of historical facts and figures. His wit and humour, together with his gentle, caring nature make his shoes impossible to fill.
Dr. Hartman is survived by his wife of 16 years, Susan, of Springville, his brother, Christopher Hartman, of Springville, and sister, Jane Hartman, of Santa Cruz. He is also survived by his son, Mark (Ashley) Hartman, and daughter, Erika (Pablo) Herrera, of Southern California, step-son, Kevin (Sandra) Perkins, of Bakersfield, and stepdaughter, Kimberly (Larry) Mccarty, of San Jose. He leaves five grandchildren; Avery Hartman, Jacob and Fontana Perkins, and Laurens and Cameron Mccarty. He loved them all deeply. His nephews, Mark and Mike Hendricks, were also very dear to him.
The family owes a debt of thanks and deep gratitude to Dr. Owen Kim, MD, of the Roger Goode Cancer Center in Porterville for his kindness and compassionate care during Burr's illness and end of life's journey.
Burr was a staunch and loyal supporter of our military and an advocate for women's rights. Memorial donations may be made to the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, 274 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402; the Navy-marine Corps Relief Society, P. O. Box 37410, Baltimore, MD 212989208; or the Porterville Zonta Foundation, P. O. Box 2055, Porterville, CA 93258.