Rodrick Bruce Hartman went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2011. Rod was born on March 22, 1927 in Seattle, WA, to Edith Selena (Sanderson) and Oliver Raymond Hartman. His family moved to The Grand Coulee Dam area when Rod was nine years old. He played the drums with the school band during the ceremony as the water first came over the spillways of the Grand Coulee Dam. He later formed his own band in which he was the drummer. He began his career working with his dad at the Roosevelt movie theatre in Grand Coulee as well as the theatre in Coulee Dam catering to the tourists. After graduating from Mason City High School he joined the Coast Guard and then attended Cheney College for a short time. Upon returning to Coulee Dam, he married a young woman who had recently arrived from southern California (Lura Anne Sanderson)the beginning of their 63-year marriage. Rod and Anne began serving the community by running various businesses. These included the Pronto Pup and the two movie theatres. They were also very involved in their community through Rotary and Chamber of Commerce. Rod served as President of the Okanogan County Valley Chamber of Commerce. In 1959 he served as Chairman of the Advisory Board regarding the sale of the Town of Mason City and Engineers' Town from the Bureau of Reclamation. Rod drove the school bus for 29 years, and was a volunteer ambulance driver, fireman and EMT for 32 years. He was asked to serve as the Mayor of Coulee Dam in 1986 and served in that capacity for ten years. During his tenure as Mayor, he was instrumental in the Laser Light Show premiering during the 100th anniversary of the State of Washington. The Light show is now the number one tourist attraction in Washington State. Through writing grants Rod was able to secure funds that extended Mason City park along Roosevelt Way as well as other community projects The property housing the Coulee Dam theatre was purchased by the government for the construction of the Third Powerhouse. Consequently, Rod and Anne built the Coulee House Motel in 1968, which they ran successfully for 20 years. During that time he served as President of Washington Hotel Motel Association making numerous trips to Washington DC, while working on the national level. After retirement, Rod continued service to the community through volunteering at the Visitor Information Center in Mason City Park. Rod was chosen as Volunteer of the Year in 1993 by members of the community-an award that meant a great deal to him. Rod and Anne thoroughly enjoyed travelling in their motor home to gatherings with their River City Rambler friends. Rod was known for his kindness and expertise-whether it pertained to helping on an ambulance run, keeping matters under control at local meetings, sending out "I saw you in the news" notes, or sharing information with tourists visiting the area. Even in his final days, he often expressed appreciation to those that tended to his or Anne's needs.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Richard and Raymond. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anne, at their home in Spokane at the Riverview Retirement Community; their four daughters and spouses: Cynthia and Michael Smetana of Kelso, WA; Claudia and Randy Bjorklund of Spokane, WA, Cecilia and John Gentry of Candler, NC, and Cory and Blair Smith of Moses Lake, WA. Their twelve grandchildren include Michael, Angela and Julia Smetana; Craig, Keith and Shelly Bjorklund; Sara Gentry Close, Nicole Gentry Edwards, and Brad and Garett Gentry; Jeremy and Jaimi Smith as well as son-in-law Eric Smith of Electric City. His legacy also lives on through eight great-grandchildren.
Strate Funeral home of Grand Coulee is in charge of the arrangements. A Memorial service will be held in the chapel at Riverview Retirement Community in Spokane on Thursday, November 10 at 3pm. A Memorial service will also be held at the Coulee Dam Community Church on Saturday, November 12 at 12:30pm. Donations in his name may be made to the Coulee Dam Community Church or the Coulee Dam Fire Department.
Published in Spokesman-Review from November 9 to November 10, 2011
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