Obituary of Richard E. Hartzell

Richard E. Hartzell, bon vivant, globe trotter, humanist, died at home Thursday, January 5, 2012. He was born in Ohio to Ralph and Marie (nee Schramm) Hartzell on November 22, 1933. Dick's greatest love and pride was for his family. He leaves behind his devoted wife and friend of more than 52 years, Phyllis, his loving children Karin and Stephen and their spouses, Jeffrey and Jill, and his five precious grandchildren, Noah, Rebecca, Eiley, Matthew, and Sophie. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Shirley Arndt and Joan Pettibone and their spouses, his sisters-in-law Tatiana Hartzell and Camille Van Schaick and her husband Tom, as well as many nieces, nephews, and "grands." In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his brother Gene. Truly dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and to the study of language, Dick was the consummate professional. A Ph.D. of German literature, a Fulbright scholar at the Free University of West Berlin, Germany, and a Fulbright teacher at the bilingual John F. Kennedy School in West Berlin, Dick taught high school students for many years, encouraging their acquisition of a second language. He worked for the advancement and continuation of foreign language study and dedicated his career to that end. As the Department Chair of Foreign Languages and English as a Second Language in East Ramapo School District, he encouraged teachers to promote foreign language as a tool for the future. Highly regarded among his colleagues all over the state, Dick went on to help develop tests for students and for teachers in the field. His contributions are enormous. The loss of Richard Hartzell will be felt by the many who learned from him, students, colleagues, family, and friends alike. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 2-5 p.m. at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, NY. Family and friends can come together to celebrate his life at 4:30 p.m. Cremation arrangements will follow. In lieu of flowers, it was Dick's wish that contributions to charity be made in his memory. Southern Poverty Law Center, Heifer International, Doctors Without Borders, and Smile Train were among his favorites. Arrangements under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., Goshen. To leave the family a personal condolence please visit www.donovanfunerals.com