Harry Erb Hartzell Sr. dies at age 100 Harry Erb Hartzell Sr. dies at age 100 (October 26, 2005)

Just three weeks after celebrating his 75th wedding anniversary, Harry Erb Hartzell died peacefully in his sleep October 17 at The Sequoias in Portola Valley. He was 100; his wife, Minerva, is 99.

Harry Hartzell was born April 5, 1905, into a Pennsylvania-Dutch family, and grew up in the small towns of Bally and Boyertown in Pennsylvania.

Inspired by a high school chemistry teacher, Harry attended Penn State University and earned a degree in chemical engineering, said his son, Dr. Harry E. Hartzell Jr., of Palo Alto, a retired pediatrician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

On September 23, 1930, Mr. Hartzell married his childhood sweetheart, Minerva Herbein. The newly-weds lived in Virginia, where Mr. Hartzell was pursuing his lifelong career with the Hercules Powder Co. of Wilmington, Delaware.

From 1938 to 1940, Mr. Hartzell managed a Hercules plant near Manchester, England, which manufactured raw materials for rayon. During World War II, the Hartzells stayed with Hercules at various locations in New Jersey and Delaware.

In 1951, the Hartzells returned to England. Mr. Hartzell headed the London office of Hercules for 18 years until he retired in 1969, and they moved to The Sequoias.

London was wonderful for the small-town couple from rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Hartzell said. They plunged into the international art and music scene, and traveled a lot.

"Dad became a painter and quite a good photographer," he said. "London really transformed their lives."

During that time, Mr. Hartzell also served as president of the American Chamber of Commerce, hosting such visiting dignitaries as Richard Nixon, and attending garden parties at Buckingham Palace. Mr. Hartzell stayed active during his 35 years at The Sequoias. He served on San Mateo County Grand Jury, was president of the Residents' Council, grew roses, and continued his interest in photography. He continued developing and printing black and white photographs, and participated in several group and solo exhibitions.

Mr. Hartzell is survived by his wife, Minerva; his son, Dr. Harry Hartzell; three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

The family suggests donations to the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, 4000 Middlefield Road, #M-1, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

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