Russell F. Hartmann, 58
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Russell F. Hartmann, age 58, known to everyone who knew and loved him as “Russ”, died on Sunday, February 25th, 2018 at home in Mansfield, MA.
Russ was born in Brooklyn in 1960, spent his formative years in rural upstate NY and then made his home in Mansfield for the last 30 years. Russ always had an engaging smile and a positive attitude, even while battling cancer for many years. Russ was a loving and caring husband, brother, uncle, great uncle and friend to all who knew him.
Russ loved traveling (which he did extensively domestically and internationally while working for IBM for the last 20 years, most recently as a Sr. Technical Sales Specialist), and adding to his extensive wine collection. He was an avid cook and baker and loved recreating old family recipes or trying out new ones. Many of the old ones came from his mother’s recipe books, which she had added to over the years and which he continued doing.
Even though Russ worked in a hi-tech field, he never lost his appreciation for the natural world; something he learned growing up in a rural setting. He loved working in his garden and was a member of the Garden Club of Mansfield. His backyard had numerous bird feeders that were always filled to attract avian visitors and the frequent chipmunks, squirrels and the occasional raccoon or deer.
One of Russ’ oncology nurses and he shared the same birthday. When Russ learned that, he would then bake a birthday cake for her, and to share with the other nurses, bringing it to his treatment that occurred around that date. This tradition continued for several years and even at his most recent treatment he made sure to bring a cake, even though he had to buy one as he was too sick to bake one at that point.
Russ is survived by his adoring wife Patricia Hauser, two brothers, Detlef in Huntington, NY and Kenneth in Martinsburg, WV, 7 nieces and nephews and 17 great-nephews and great-nieces. Russ’ parents Guenther and Elisabeth pre-deceased him.
A memorial service for friends and relatives will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Russ’ memory may be sent to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com