Walter Lee Hartenberger

What I remember the most about Walt was his sense of humor and smile.  It took me a while to figure it out, but I learned that when I was around him I had to be alert and brace myself for some serious leg pulling.  I would have thought I'd now be taller than 5'9", but maybe I would have been a foot shorter had I not been blessed with meeting such a wonderful person. 

 

I'm sure that Walt is very proud to know the difference he made for so many people.  Thank you to you as well Mary, as you and Walt have built a very special family that will live on and make a difference in so many lives.  My best to all of you.

In our never ending quest to get rich quick, I once approached Jason to sell this amazing skin care product for a multi-level marketing company called NuSkin. After explaining the many benefits to Walt and Mary, Walt immediately laughed and called it "Snake Oil" which I discovered meant (after my trip to the dictionary for kids of adults who like to use fancy old fashioned phrases):
"a derogatory term for compounds offered as medicines which implies that they are fake, fraudulent, or ineffective. ..."

I learned an important lesson from Walt that day which was this: Unless you want to get mocked, pursue a career that has nothing to do with the health benefits of human placenta protiens. 

Now of course both Jason and I have prospered due to our involvment in high tech....which we can directly attribute to that one fateful discussion with Walt many long years ago.

From that day forth, Walt affectionately called me "snake oil" which as a sales guy, I took as the highest form of compliment.

You will be missed Walt.

Dear Dad,

You were a great father, teacher and husband. Thank you for teaching me how to change a tire and even the oil "just in case" I might have to do it. Thank you for teaching me how to enjoy making runny eggs "made with love". Thank you for showing me that consequences sometimes comes with forgiveness, but forgiveness always comes. And thank you for loving mom so much  - your words and actions taught us all well. In death, you reminded me about the importance of having God in our lives, "front and center" and so the teaching and love continues.

I love you more,

Shari

(Now, about that pig story...the way I remember it is that I was getting a new room mate, and I just thought we were getting a new puppy.  Maybe that story is similar to who dad's favorite child is...the one who is in the room!!)

I have been blessed with a granddaughter, Ryley, born June 21, 2005. I have the privilege of spending every Thursday with her. We have many classes and adventures together and usually end up at Grandma Mary Hartenberger's and Pa's place. (Ryley has 3 Grandma Marys and refers to them with their last names so I don't get confused.) She would burst through the door, go directly to dad and say, " Wake up Pa...open your eyes!" After 2 or 3 times of her prodding, a smile would appear and he would open his eyes. Ryley would then proudly announce, "See! He's awake!" Thursdays quite often were doctor appointments for dad. He would get his blood drawn as Ryley would watch intently. As soon as they finished, Ryley would reap his reward. She would get a STICKER for him being so good. Three weeks ago was a 2 sticker bonus day, Grandpa had to get his Flu shot and his blood drawn...Life is GOOD!

Oh where to start?  Life with my dad was always an amazing adventure although it did not seem that way at the time.  The first major adventure was taking Cami and I out of school for a year and traveling around the Western United States with our trailer and boat.  After talking to my older siblings, it sounds like we are lucky that our trip ended in the same town as it started but it did and it was the first of many adventures that I remember with dad.

 

During the summers dad and I would take motorcycle trips and ride around our beautiful country with no destination in mind but we always seemed to end up with a group of friends as we went.  He had the most amazing ability to make friends with everyone that he met and I was so shy that he loved to embarrass me with all of them.  He would bet these strangers that I could repeat their names but that they would not be able to repeat mine.  After accepting his wager they would tell me their names, I would reply and then tell them that my name was "Melchizedek Aluishious Beno Obed Jason Lucas Hartenberger".  I would receive my milkshake or pack of gum for winning the bet and he proceeded to make another friend with his charming sense of humor.

 

Then in high school he decided that it was time to get me out of "snobville" as he liked to call Lake Oswego where I grew up.  I came home from school one day and there were two brand new red Honda dirtbikes in the garage.  The next day we went to pick up my new puppy Louie and my folks informed me that we were moving away.  I should have know that it was all too good to be true as we arrived in our new town of 260 people in the middle of the mountains in Eastern Oregon.  I drove my new motorcycle around town looking for the rest of it as I was sure that it really could not be this small, but after searching with no avail, I sat on the porch with Louie, looked up at the only school in town (grades K-12) and wept in disbelief at my circumstances.

 

The next day the neighbor boy Gene came over and asked if I wanted to go on a short motorcycle ride with him so we filled up with gas and off we went.  80 miles later and just about out of gas we arrived back home.  I was hooked and spent two of the best years of my life out in Ukiah and I feel lucky that dad was able to remove me from my comfort zone and relocate me in "Gods Country" as he liked to call it.  Just another adventure for him but he touched the lives of everyone in that small town letting them know that they could do anything that they put their minds to and many of them did thanks to him!

 

He was a great father, a great friend and role model.  He was my hero and I will miss him greatly but know that he is up in heaven taking the next adventure which makes me very happy. 

 

I love you Pop!  Jason