GILFORD --- Richard “Rich” John Hartman passed away at his home in Gilford, New Hampshire at the age of 83 on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
Rich is survived by his three sons, Daniel Hartman and his wife Molly Mitchell, Andrew Hartman and his wife Kris (Vaitonis) Hartman, and Matthew Hartman and his wife, April Opoliner. He was a proud grandfather to Parker, Eleanor, James, Oliver, Cleo, Caroline, and Henry, all of whom brought him tremendous joy and happiness.
Rich was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Mary Hartman, and his younger brother, Ronald Hartman.
Rich was born on July 27, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania spending his first years in North Philadelphia, playing stickball and riding a homemade scooter, living closely with cousins, aunts, and uncles. His family moved to Cheltenham where he was soon joined by his younger brother, graduating from Cheltenham High School. A life-long interest in the Southwest was sparked while studying at New Mexico Tech before completing his BS in Chemistry at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Following college, he lived in Philadelphia and greater Chicago before ultimately making New Hampshire his family’s home. In his professional life, Rich began in battery research and development, working for Gould Inc. and later Surrette Battery, before transitioning into forensic science, joining the New Hampshire State Police Crime Laboratory in 1988 as a Criminalist and retiring in 2008 after more than two decades of service.
Outside of his career, Rich lived a life defined by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for arts and the natural world. From a young age, he loved to travel and seek adventure. His passion for exploration led him to serve on the Board of Directors of American Youth Hostels, through which he traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, often staying in hostels and camping along the way.
An avid hiker and backpacker, he found peace in the hills and mountains of New Hampshire and took great joy in sharing this natural beauty with his children, family, and friends. He was elected to the Gilmanton Budget Committee and worked to establish the first public Kindergarten in Gilmanton, along with leading the town Historical Society. He served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader to his boys’ troops and presided as president of the Pasquaney Snowshoe Club for five years, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow outdoor enthusiasts. His interests reflected an endlessly inquisitive mind. Rich was passionate about photography and camera collecting, history, science fiction, and classic motorcycles—a lifelong affection that harkened back to his youth riding the streets of Philadelphia and the deserts of New Mexico. He also believed deeply in the importance of supporting the arts and his local community. He was never without a camera and loved to share his artwork to tell the tales of his travels with family, friends, and through entry into art and photo competitions. He devoted many years of service to the Lakes Region Art Association, ultimately serving as its President.
Perhaps more than anything else, Rich had an extraordinary ability to recognize value where others saw none. He loved saving and repurposing objects believing that nearly everything deserved another chance. One such item saved was a sailboat that had been recovered from the bottom of a river that he restored to seaworthy condition as a young man. With too many interests to focus on maintenance, decades later, he advised his sons’ restoration of the boat once again to seaworthiness.
Those who knew Rich will remember his curiosity, his quiet wit followed by his roaring laugh, his generosity with his knowledge, and his sense of humor. His legacy lives on in the trails he shared, the objects he preserved, the adventures he inspired, and the family who learned from his example to remain curious, capable, and open to exploration. More than anything, Rich taught those around him to remain curious - to look a little closer, wander a little farther, repair rather than discard, and never stop learning.
A Calling Hour will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10:30am to 11:30am, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:30am, also at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sierra Club Foundation , 2101 Webster Street, Suite 1350, Oakland, CA 94612, in honor of Rich’s lifelong commitment to preserving the natural world.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.