This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Hartman, Burr Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4645/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Franklin Thomas Hartman, 53, long time resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away suddenly on July 29, 2010 while on business in Los Angeles, CA. Frank was born to Joel and Sara Weirich Hartman on December 24, 1956 in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He was the second of five children. Frank came to Las Cruces in 1976, with fellow University of Missouri Columbia music students and newly-appointed NMSU band director Tim Lautzenheiser. Frank was a gifted percussionist and a member of the marimba quintet, Percussive Design Quorum (PDQ), various bands and ensembles at NMSU, the Las Cruces Civic Symphony, and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. While at NMSU he met Nancy Burr, a fellow music student. They were married on December 29, 1984. A son, Isaac, was born in 1993, and a daughter Lara Zel, was born in 1994. Frank was very involved in the community. Whenever there was a need, Frank would step up to fill it. At various times he was a soccer and softball coach. He and Nancy were charter members of the Mesilla Valley Concert Band where Frank served as the percussion section leader. A believer in personal responsibility and "the show must go on", Frank once performed a rapid xylophone solo with his mallet wedged in his cast after having broken his arm playing softball the night before. Realizing that dyslexic students in our community face tremendous challenges in obtaining effective therapy in the basic skills of reading and math, Frank accepted a position as a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Dyslexia Institute of Southern New Mexico, Inc. Under his capable leadership as president of the board, the organization obtained registration as a charity in the State of New Mexico, enabling it to provide scholarship assistance to individuals of all ages. A leader for 20 years at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ in Las Cruces, Frank served on the board in numerous capacities, taught children's Sunday school, and led the adult study group. He always welcomed open and educated discussions of any topic. In addition to his degree in music, Frank completed degrees in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering at NMSU as advised by his friend and mentor Don Paterson. He began his 25-year career in Space Communications as a student with Spacecom at the NASA Johnson Space Flight Center and continued employment with Contel, GTE, and General Dynamics. Most recently, he was Chief Engineer with the General Dynamics CD4S team. In times of complexities and frustrations, his coworkers would say, "WWFD - What Would Frank Do." Their suggestion is that we continue asking this in all aspects of our lives. Frank is survived by his wife of 25 years, Nancy Burr, and children Isaac Hartman and Lara Zel Hartman; parents Sara Hartman of Green Bay, WI, and Joel Hartman of Tulsa, OK; sisters Tina Hartman of Proctorville, OH, Anita Hartman (Ron McDowell) and daughter Karen McDowell of Tulsa, OK, and Elizabeth Delvaux (Paul) and daughters Julia and Olivia of Green Bay, WI; parents-in-law, Marcus and Margaret Burr of Las Cruces; two brothers-in-law: Ted Burr (Elizabeth) of Deming, NM, and children Matt Burr of Irving, TX and Sarah Nichols of Deming, NM, and John Burr (Ruth Gronquist) and daughters Erika and Anna of Fairbanks, AK; two aunts Lorie Luck (Karl) and children Todd and Lisa of Ketchikan, AK and Bernice Eder and children Kristin and Harold of Newtown Square, PA; Janie Markert of Lebanon, PA; Lynnda Emery of Proctorville, OH; and DeanAnn Edwards Saenz of Bowling Green, OH. His brother Eric Hartman and partner James Marks preceded him in death. All children loved Frank. He had too many friends to count. He was known for his integrity, intelligence, friendliness, and kindness to all -- even strangers. He had a remarkable sense of humor and an unforgettable laugh. Frank is deeply missed as a loving husband, father, family member, and friend. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Frank Hartman Music Scholarship through the Mesilla Valley Concert Band, c/o Anita Feil, Treasurer, 6596 Rio Dorado Ct, La Mesa, NM 88044, or the Franklin Hartman Scholarship at the Dyslexia Institute of Southern New Mexico, Inc., P.O. Box 13507, Las Cruces, NM 88013. A celebration of Frank's life will take place on Saturday, September 04, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on August 18, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.