Richard was born in Northville, Michigan to John C. and Antoine Hartmann, who emigrated from Wangerin, Germany. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Detroit Lutheran High School, and Michigan State University with a BS in Soil Science. A highlight of his college days was playing on the football team his freshman year.
After college, he served in the US Army and the California Naonal Guard, with active duty in Korea. In 1961, he married Patricia Brooke and moved from California to Portland, Oregon where they raised their family.
A passionate agronomist, he worked with agricultural specialists and farmers throughout the United States, while primarily focusing on California and the Pacific Northwest. After receiving multiple patents and working for well-established agricultural companies, he formed his own company, BiEn Corp. He went on to develop many products that helped farmers improve their carbon footprint and reduce their use of fertilizers. Richard worked to grow that business, putting in long hours up until recently. He wanted to do his part in hopes of being able to feed the world.
While Richard truly loved his fertilizer business, he also had a number of outside interests. He was very involved in real estate since he arrived in Portland, owning several rental properties. He loved gardening and building terraces and rock walls, boating on the Columbia River, dancing and traveling. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Vicki and husband John Bourneuf, Elizabeth Fletcher and Lieta Muir; two sons, John Hartmann and Tom Meservey; eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Marlene Tebo and former wife, Patricia Hartmann.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday. February 28 at Missio Community, formerly The Good Shephard Lutheran Church, 3405 SW Alice Street; Portland, OR.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oregon 4H Foundation. www.oregon4Hfoundation.org; 503-371-7920.
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