Barbara Wolter Hartung

August 1, 2024

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, colleague and friend Barbara (Jean)

Wolter Hartung died at home on July 25, 2024, from heart failure. She was 90.

Born in Redlands, Calif., Barbara became a San Diegan in the mid-1940s. She attended

Hoover High School, where she was a student journalist. She was a strong swimmer and

pool lifeguard.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1956 from what was then known as San

Diego State College. She was editor of the campus newspaper, the Aztec, and was a

member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

Upon graduation, she became a staff member at The San Diego Union, where she was a

reporter for 10 years.

She was a stay-at-home mother for several years, during which time she earned a Master

of Science degree in mass communication from SDSU (1976) and a Ph.D. in leadership

and human behavior from United States International University (1980).

During her 25-year career at SDSU, she served as a professor of journalism and chair of

the journalism department. From 1986 until she retired in 2001, she also served two

SDSU presidents as their executive assistant. Her campus involvement was wide and

deep, and she spent considerable time bridging gaps among faculty, staff and the

administration. During her time at SDSU, she was involved with numerous organizations,

including the Mortar Board Alumni Chapter, Aztec Shops Board, Centennial Planning

Committee, Campus Concerns for Women, Black Student Journalists’ Association, Phi

Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, and “Bridges.” She also was an

active member of the on-campus women's networking group, “Just Because.”

Barbara received numerous honors and awards, including the Mortar Board National

Conference Alumni Achievement Award, Mortar Board San Diego Alumni Chapter

Distinguished Alumna Award, San Diego President's Council Woman of Achievement

Award, and Alpha Phi Ursa Major Award. She also received the Distinguished University

Service Award in 2002. In retirement, she was a member of the SDSU Retirement

Association.

Outside of her university work, she was active as a leader in the Japan Society of San

Diego and Tijuana and as president of the Lemon Grove Rotary Club. She also was a

member of the ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation and of

the Wednesday Club of San Diego.

Barbara traveled extensively with her family all over the world and relished exploring

new cultures and unique experiences. A highlight was an around-the-world cruise with

her husband, Jim, in 2009 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Jim Hartung; son James Hartung Jr. of

Lemon Grove; daughter Kathleen Williams and granddaughter Abigail Williams of

Brooklyn, N.Y.; sister Sharon Coleman of El Cajon; nephews Bill (Matt Johnson) George

of La Mesa and Robert George of El Cajon; and numerous family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2024, at Central Congregational

Church of La Mesa, 8360 Lemon Ave. in La Mesa.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's memory may be made to San Diego State

University to support the Jim and Barbara Hartung Endowed Scholarship. To make a

donation in memory of Barbara, please visit www.sdsualumni.org/hartung or call 619-

594-8299 for more information