Herbert Thomas Hartman, MSgt., USAF

May 20, 1932 – February 18, 2011

Herbert Thomas Hartman, 79, passed away at his home in North Pole on Feb. 18, 2011.

Herbert was born in Cincinnati on May 20, 1931. He moved with his family to Alaska in 1972.

He attended college in Cincinnati before committing to a career in the U.S. Air Force.

He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served two tours of duty. While serving in Vietnam, he was awarded many medals and received recognition for services to his country. Master Sgt. Hartman was honorably discharged in 1979.

Herbert continued his personal commitment to the United States by serving in a civil service capacity at Eielson Air Force Base as the assistant fire chief. While at Eielson, he was awarded the Command Civilian award for valor in recognition of his outstanding bravery while performing his duties as assistant fire chief, 5010th Civil Engineering Squadron on May 1, 1974.

On that date, he entered on foot an area where an F-4E aircraft had crashed during landing approach. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he entered the crash area despite serious hazards of exploding and furiously burning 20mm ammunition, a violently burning aircraft fuselage and extensively burning aircraft debris to supervise suppression of the aircraft fires and helicopter evacuation of the injured crew.

The outstanding leadership ability, exemplary courage and extreme personal risk to his own life and welfare reflected great credit upon him and the U.S. Air Force. He retired from civil service in 1992.

Herbert was an enthusiastic paleontologist with a tremendous interest in archaeology. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He instilled his love of the outdoors and zest for life in everyone he encountered.

He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Judith; nine children; and 10 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Fire Science Scholarship in honor of Assistant Fire Chief Herbert Hartman, c/o Naomi Horne, UAF Advancement Service, P.O. Box 757530, Fairbanks, AK 99775, www.uaf.edu/giving, (907) 474-6464.

A service with full military honors will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Eielson Air Force Base Chapel.

Arrangements were entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home. Published by Daily News-Miner on Feb. 20, 2011.