Dr. Rod Hartmann

Click Here to Download a free funeral planning guide.

Celebrating the life of
Dr. Rod HartmannSeptember 08, 1934 - January 22, 2016

Rodney (Rod) Hartmann died in Savannah on January 22 from "complications of aortic valve surgery." Rod was a resident of South Harbor on Skidaway Island, he was 81 years old. Rod was born in New Brunswick, NJ on Sept. 8, 1934, the only son of Harry A. Hartmann and Margaret G. Hartmann. He married Nancy G. Lebo in 1959, the service taking place in the Voorhees Chapel at Douglass College (Rutgers University) in New Brunswick.

Rod attended public schools in Milltown, NJ. and New Brunswick before entering Rutgers University in the Class of 1956. While in high school he was a finalist in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, won a national essay contest for "Hire the Handicapped" and was the class valedictorian.

At Rutgers he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year and entered Yale University School of Medicine after three years of college. Rod graduated from Yale in 1959. He did a rotating internship in Cooperstown, N.Y. at Mary Imogene Basset Hospital, an affiliate of Columbia University P&S. He participated in the Berry Plan and chose to enter the United States Air Force in 1960. Fully expecting to be assigned to Cape Cod (the location they had requested), Rod and Nancy were shocked when orders sent them to Brookley AFB in Mobile, Alabama. Rather than a hardship assignment, Mobile turned out to be a great place to start medical practice and be indoctrinated into life in the deep south. Rod was Director of Outpatient Services at the 2789th. USAF Hospital and after some on the job training was named Radiologist for that facility. He also served as the basketball coach for Brookley AFB and coached the Hospital team to two undefeated seasons. After two years of active duty, Rod returned to New Haven, CT where he entered a radiology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He completed residency training in June 1965 and was actually certified by the American Board of Radiology before his last day of residency.

Rod accepted a position with the radiology group at Memorial Hospital in Savannah after completing his residency. That group subsequently became Radiology Associates of Savannah. He and Nancy moved to Savannah settling at Isle of Hope. While in Savannah Rod initially practiced general radiology but his special interest was vascular and interventional radiology which he pioneered in the Savannah area. He was founder and first president of the Southeastern Angiographic Society.

In 1978 Rod left Savannah to become Radiologist in Chief at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, NY. He practiced there until1999 when he retired and moved back to Savannah to reside at South Harbor.

During his professional career Rod held clinical teaching appointments at Yale, Medical College of Georgia, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Albany Medical College. He published and presented numerous papers and belonged to many professional societies including The American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and the Georgia Medical Society. He also was an active participant in many healthcare organizations and was an accreditation surveyor for the American College of Radiology. Rod was one of two physicians appointed by Governor Cuomo to the Physician Discipline Process Review Panel for the State of New York.

Rod was an avid off shore salt water fisherman, liked gardening and at one time raised camellias for show. He was a terrible golfer giving up the sport at a young age. In later life he became very much involved with computers after having first declared them "a passing fad". He loved football and was a loyal supporter of Rutgers athletics. Always a friend of animals, he loved the dogs and cats that were part of his family and was an advocate for the humane treatment of animals.

Rod was a member of the Isle of Hope Methodist Church, joining that church during his first tenure in Savannah. He rejoined the Church after moving back to Savannah in 2000. He was a member of the Savannah Yacht Club and a former member of the Georgia Medical Society, the Chatham Club, the Debtors, the German Heritage Society, the Mohican Club, the Cooperstown Country Club and the Otsego Sailing Club.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Nancy L Hartmann and two sons, Curtis G. Hartmann of Kensington, MD and Karl S. Hartmann of Arlington VA and their spouses Jackie and Kendra. He is also survived by three grandchildren; Lucas, Elyse and Sophie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church for Wesley Community Centers, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406 or the Humane Society of Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church (Fellowship Hall). The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel

SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES

Submissions protected by Kanshi.

GUEST BOOK

It is with a great sadness to learn the passing of Dr. Rodney Hartman, a highly valued scholar physician who helped many patients to secure their health. I owe my entire Radiology management career to Dr. Hatrmann as I was privileged to work with him to manage his department. He was a rightful man with concrete vision and support for all of his coworkers and associates. We have many sweet memories not only as my supervisor but also as a good friend of my family. He will be missed by many. My deepest sympathy goes to Nancy, Curtis, Karl and to their families.

- J.P. Fotiu, Raleigh , NC

Nancy my sincere sympathy in your loss he was great person to know and work for again my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family always Roy and Cheryl

- roy/cheryl Doremus, West winfield, ny

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of a man known to have been a great husband, father, and friend. My parents have certainly lost a great friend, and my dad, in particular was incredibly fortunate to have had such a great friend for a boss for so many of his working years. Rod will be missed by many. You will all be in my thought and prayers.

- Steve Nagy (the younger), Clemmons, NC

I remember Rod fondly from my years working with him in Radiation Oncology. My best to his family at their loss.

- fred doubleday, cooperstown, ny

Our condolences to Nancy and the family over Rod's passing. My getting to know Rod through the Old Docs luncheon group was delightful, but too short. A deserved rest is now his.

- Clyde and Ellen Olson, Savannah, GA

Dear Hartmann Family, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. I will always have wonderful memories of working at Radiology Associates with Dr. Hartmann and all of the other Radiologists. They took great care of all of us employees and all of our patients as well. Sincerely, Sherry Shealy

- Sherry Hanel Shealy, Savannah, Ga.

So sorry in this loss of a good friend. May God give you added strength, Nancy.

- Jim and Ellie Burbank, Maryville, TN

Nancy, Peggy and I were so sad to hear of Rod's passing. He was such a nice man and we always enjoyed his company. Our prayers are with you and your family.

- Bob & Peggy Poulson , Cooperstown , NY

Nancy and family, My thoughts are with you, as are my prayers. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Gwen DeWalt

- Gwen DeWalt, Savannah, GA

Nancy my thoughts go out to you and your family. Rod was an amazing Radiation Oncologist who treated his patients with gentleness and care. I am so sorry for your loss and know he will be missed by many.

- Robin Wrench, Utica, NY

Dear Nancy, May the Lord hold you and your family in the palm of His hand during this most difficult journey. God Bless and keep you. With deepest sympathy, Mike and Julie Estvander

- Estvander, Savannah, GA

Nancy, Curtis, and Carl, We are so so sorry to hear about Rod's passing. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers in the upcoming days and months as you go through this difficult time.

- Jay and Debbie Molino, Tampa, FL

Our sincere condolences to Nancy and family. So sorry to hear of Rod's passing.We have many wonderful memories of Rod and Nancy at Bassett Hospital. He was a great physician, friend and colleague. My fondest years were spent working for him. He was brilliant and a warm and compassionate physician and Radiation Oncologist. Will never forget him.

- Susan and Tom O'Brien, Webster, NY

Nancy and family, How sorry I am to hear of Dr Hartmann's passing. I was the nurse in rad onc at Bassett at the time of his retirement. We had many a laugh, and I learned much from him. May it help to know others are sharing in your sorrow at this time.

- Evelyn Kropp, Cherry Valley, NY

So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and Dr. Hartman's family.

- Joy Aten and family, Lexington, Ky.

I have very fond memories of your dad. My thoughts are with you all.

- Susie Lasher Knight, Cooperstown, NY

Our most sincere condolences to the family. I had the honor of working with Rod for several years at Bassett when he and I were chiefs of our respective departments. A man of culture and class who cared deeply about the patients he served and his colleagues.

- Andrew and Jocelyn Rauscher, Richfield Springs, NY

Rod Hartmann was one of the brightest people we ever knew and was compassionate and caring and loyal to both the people and the animals in his life. Steve and Rod shared a love of college football and novels by Nelson DeMille and Michael Connelly among others. Thirty-Five years ago, Rod and Nancy recruited us to Bassett in Cooperstown and we remember our trip to the Charlestown Outlets and dinner at the Lake House Restaurant like it was yesterday. We shared many trips together to watch our children compete in cross country skiing (often at below zero temperatures) and race Laser sailboats at different venues in Upstate New York. Rod may have left us but we miss him and will never forget him and all the good times we all had together. Our deepest condolences to Nancy, Curtis and Karl and their families. Steve and Denise Nagy

- Stephen & Denise Nagy and Family, Fort Myers, FL

Dear Mrs. Hartmann, Curtis, and Karl, My heart goes out to you at this time and my prayers are with all of you. I have so many fond memories of Dr. Hartmann, especially in more recent years in NC. May God's peace and grace surround you during this time. Love, Susan, Reed, and Rainey

- Susan Norris Carter, Windermere, FL