SHERBURNE – Robert Hartwell, 89, of Sherburne, passed away Saturday Oct. 30, 2010 at his home.
He was born in Norwich on March 9, 1921 a son of the late Louis and Daisie Bacon Hartwell and at an early age Robert moved to Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo, where he graduated from Amherst Central High School in September of 1942. Robert enlisted in the Army Ordnance Department as a private and was promoted to Second Lieutenant, entered France as an officer with the 277th Ordnance Maintenance Company on June 12, 1944.  He ended his military services as Commander of the 71st Ordnance Group and the Seventh Army Training Center in Heidenheim, Germany. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering at Union College, Schenectady in 1949 and entered on a thirty year career as a senior engineer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, retiring in 1980.
As a youth, Mr. Hartwell was active in amateur stagecraft productions and the Boy Scouts of America. With the help of his children, he built his home at Southampton, Long Island. He also assisted his wife in her Income Tax Preparation business. In retirement he was Sexton of the North Norwich Cemetery and was known for assisting children to make hemp rope at the annual Sherburne Historic Days Fair.
He married Catherine Hoyt of Clifton, N.J. on April 17, 1949 and she survives him. They have three children Chester Hartwell of Saugerties, his wife Lisa and two daughters Holly Hartwell of Blair, Neb. with two children and three grandchildren and Claudia Sundman of Greenville, N.C. A brother Oliver Hartwell of Roslyn Heights, and a sister Virginia Leguey-Felleux of St. Louis.
In keeping with Roberts wishes there will be no calling hours. Interment will take place in the North Norwich Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements entrusted to the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.