I am so sorry that this happened. I did not know his work, but it sounds like he cared deeply about people. My prayers are with his wife and two children and all his fans who relied on his honesty. May He Rest in Peace.

When I lived in my Missouri I never missed a Donnybrook.  He was my favorite.

Sending my condolences to his family

Ray was Godfather to these young men. He provided fatherly wisdom and counseling throughout their lives. Thank you Ray.   RIP

To the family and friends of Ray:  Although I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ray on Donnybrook and had met him a couple of times at the Donnybrook Bash, I didn't have the pleasure of knowing this wonderful man.  It was shocking to learn of his passing.  He brought light, laughter, and inspiration to so many, and his presence will be deeply missed. Gone far too soon, but never forgotten.  Love and Blessings to all.

Dear Ben and Brielle,
         Sorry I could not be with you and your mother on Wednesday. I did watch the service that was streaming from the Temple. The two of you spoke so elegantly about your father. Your descriptions and memories about your dad were so heartfelt. Thank you very much for sharing them with each of us.
          I, too, have very fond memories of working with both of your parents.  As a teacher of young children, having the support of both parents means everything. We all are working on the same page to help guide their children to become contributing adults. By what I heard from the two of you on Wednesday, I would say your parents have been successful..
        Please know that we were lucky at Wilson to have the Hartmann Family in our world.
        Your dad will be missed by all those who knew him and his accomplishments. He was so easy to like.
     Fondly,
     Roberta Goldfeder

I was so excited to meet Ray at a Donnybrook event.  He was such a sane voice of reason for St.Louis. He will be greatly missed. I’m so fortunate my husband saved this photo of what is now a cherish memory.

I first met Ray when we were both young reporters for the Knickerbocker News in Albany N.Y.  We sat near each other in the newsroom and hung out on the weeends. He ended up leaving to go work for Kit Bond. He had talked about starting a paper even back then in the mid 70's. He invited me to come to St. Louis to start Profile St. Louis, a precursor to the Riverfront Times.  We had a lot of fun and he and I roomed together out in Chesterfield. We eventually drifted apart but were able to reconnect 2 years ago.  Ray was a terrific writer and was never ever short of opinions. As Mary Huss, one of our coeditors once said, "Ray had talent coming out of his ears." I will miss you, amigo.  You did good.

Ray Hartman will always be remembered for his generosity.
"May His Memory Be A Blessing" to us all through out the St. Louis Community.  w/Grateful Appreciation from a Team of Senior Volunteers of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

What a huge loss for our community. Ray was someone who believed in exposing uncomfortable and unjust situations. He  was a man of integrity who did more than his share to make this world a better place. I only met him a few times but he always impressed me with his kindness and sincerity. May his memory be a blessing.  Gary Benson

Ray, Keri and me painting the town red♥️

I am so heartbroken by Ray's passing.  It was a privilege to know him.
I was happy to support him in his race for Congress and his eloquent Substack contributions.  He was a man of great integrity, compassion and eloquence.  His death leaves a void in our community that cannot be filled.  Rest in peace, my friend.

Jane Nelson

Ray and I used to play basketball in his Grandmother's back yard when he would come over to visit her on Cornell in University City. We were ten years old. Even though I have been away from St. Louis for fifty years I followed Ray , read Riverfront Times often , Facebooked and more recently his Substack blog. I could not be more proud of my friend who was a fierce advocate for Democracy. My condolences to his Wife & children and all who knew him.

St Louis Magazine events were the best in town!  I loved having my stationery included in the VIP gifts.  I used to bring by boxes of stationery to the Saint Louis Magazine office and say Hi to Ray and see the operations of such a top notch magazine. 
Devastated  we all are with the loss of a man who brought people together.
I have an antique media kit from the magazine, because my dad EJ, the architect, also loved the magazine. 
RIP, Ray Hartman

I always enjoyed Ray on Donybrook. Even we were polar opposites politically, I respected Ray's commitment to his views. I ran into Ray at the Manchester Costco last year. He was very cordial and I told him I missed him on Doneybrook. RIP Ray....

Town is in shock. 
Because of you.
Blue came to town with Raymond.
Runner and Friend.
Consummate Warrior...

Ray and his life long friend and colleague Chip Casteel at the Union Station Luncheon for Historic Revitalization for Missouri (HRM).  Ray worked the last year with HRM fundraising to achieve their mission to protect and enhance the incentives and policies for historic revitalization across Missouri. I will always remember our long conversations on ways to strategically achieve our goals  and quality events.  Once again Ray was working for the quality of life in St Louis and Missouri. 
 We will miss him!  Jim Farrell, President HRM

I met Ray at one of the heights of St. Louis and he had just started the RFT. St. Louis was alive and we were all so young, healthy and fabulous! Every weekend:  the Loop, the West End, the Landing, Soulard, downtown…!!!
He was super smart, super cute, a bit of a flirt, and a man who lived our city.
A super cool guy who will be missed.

My sincerest condolences.

I only met Ray on a few occasions, but that is enough to understand he was a truly special man. His warmth,  authenticity and happiness was truly contagious.

May his memory be a blessing and may G-d comfort your family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

- Charles Goldman

My sincere  condolences to Kerri, Ben, Brielle and the entire family. I probably met Ray the day that I was born in 1954 when Ray 
was two. My parents were only children. My grandparents raised Ray’s mother Hanne,  who was rescued from Nazi Germany at age 9 in 1934.  They provided my mother a foster sister and me my only first cousin, a close playmate throughout our boyhoods and a friend for 70 years. I remember him in Junior 
Achievement and as an Eagle Scout, knowing he would accomplish much in his life. I’m so sad and so sorry that it ended too soon, but grateful that he helped and touched so many. This was a voice needed more than ever in this world right now. It will miss him greatly.

A great loss for the city and the Ray Hartmann extended family.  There might not be another person whose opinions were more at odds with my own, but there was also no celebrity in STL that I’d rather sit down with and a have a Budweiser. 

My condolences. What a life.

Ray was the last great liberal. His beliefs where genuine and from the heart.  He was the most ethical journalist I have had the privilege to know. Time and time again he turned down economic opportunities because he felt it might be a conflict of interest. Ray loved  life like few I have ever known.  I will miss his stories, insight, views and the history lessons. The world is less with Ray not in it.

My sincerest condolences to Ray's family.
Ray and I became friends when his father and my mother became tournament Bridge partners.
We have continued our friendship throughout the years after we graduated from high school!
It has been valued experience for me to know and learn from Ray!
His energy and commitment to his priorities and principles is a real tribute to him!
He was a person of distinction!

My sincere condolences to Ray's family. I was a long time reader of the RFT, and Donnybrook fan. I had the privilege to meet Ray at several DonnyBashes. He was a good man and will be missed.

We will miss  our remarkably intelligent, witty, endlessly funny friend who gave  so much to so many. Thank you for all you brought to the world.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Kerri, Brielle, and Ben.
Sallie Sanborn and Steve Friedman

I remember the joyful family when I taught the children at Deutsch Early Childhood.  Ray was a supportive and loving father. May his legacy offer countless memories for his family.

We have lost a bright light……
He was a great guy in every respect…..

Heartfelt condolences to Ray's family on this stunning and tragic loss.  Ray was an exceptional journalist, gifted entrepreneur, exemplary father and a great friend.  His positive impact on our community will long endure.

OBITUARY

Raymond "Ray" P. Hartmann

May 23, 1952 – April 23, 2026

Berger Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Funeral Service (Also Available via Live Stream)

Private Interment Follows the Funeral Service