Walter Lee Hartenberger

My favorite memories were when ever Uncle Fritz and family would come to Minnesota. Just being around him and his humor was a lesson and a joy.

I also remember the first time I flew to Oregon to visit, Uncle Fritz decided we were going to the coast to spend a few days. I did'n know what to expect, it was my very first time at the coast of Oregon. I had my first lesson in driving a dune buggy. ...

My second lesson was riding on the back of Fritz cycle going through the huge bowl dune, we were almost to the top on our way to see the ocean, I must have moved slightly and we tipped. The cycle was on Fritz leg, I thought for sure it was broke, he just said help me lift it up...........we were off again and made it to the ocean. I had never seen anything so beautiful, the sun was starting to go down and I wanted to stay but Fritz said we had to get back to the campsite before it would get dark. We made it back to the campsite without anytrouble! A campfire at the campsite  was another enjoyable time ,we sat around and talked.

Fritz will be forever in my heart, I am so glad I got to know him.

As most of you know, Dad had a quirky, fun sense of humor.  But he was also very practical.  He always talked about the "Hawthorne Effect", although he had a slightly different definition.  He would describe what happens when a child receives a new toy - The toy would receive an abundance of attention at first, but slowly that toy would be replaced by new or more exciting things.  Whenever I asked for a puppy, Dad would ask, "Have I told you about the Hawthorne Effect?"  After my relentless pleadings, Dad returned from a trip to the Midwest with a box in tow.  Had I finally gotten my new puppy?  As I peered into the box, I saw a small, pink creature with a curly tail.  It wasn't a puppy at all.  It was a pig.  I still happily accepted my new gift, named him Elmo, and I played with that little messy guy a lot.  Then a little less.  And a little less.  To the great relief of my Mom, Elmo supposedly went to live on a farm.  But I think Dad found a solution to the Hawthorne Effect and what to have for dinner all at the same time.  Now that's a combination of good sense and humor that one doesn't see very often!

 

Then there was the year-long trip.  What an adventure.  We stopped at every wayside, every rest-stop (where Dad would make us run until we tired out), and every tourist spot between Canada, Mexico and the Midwest.  We stayed in places like the Grand Canyon, Banff, Lake Mead, Puerto Penasco, and Lake of the Woods.  We stopped at places like the Corn Palace and Wall Drug... You know, the places where they showcase "The Largest Ball of Twine" known to man.  When Mom and Dad needed a kid-break, we wouldn't get a babysitter... Dad would find a local resident to keep us busy.  We spent one afternoon at the local jail with the Sheriff, and another afternoon with a park ranger in Yellowstone.  At the time, I wanted to stay home with my friends, but looking back on that year brings me endless smiles and chuckles.

 

Dad always gave the best advice.  I remember when Greg and I set out to buy a new car.  We had our list of 'must-haves'... 4 doors, sedan, practical, air conditioning, and so on.  But when we got to the showroom, the shiny black convertible on the turntable caught our eye.  Somehow we convinced the dealer to let us take it out for the afternoon, and we drove it straight up to Mom and Dad's place to ask their opinion.  I felt a bit sheepish... it didn't match our list at all, and I prepared myself for a well-deserved lecture.  But Dad took one look at that car, and said "You know, everyone should have one convertible during their life".   We happily bought that car, and even though it didn't have AC or 4 doors, we never regretted it. 

 

I'll miss my Dad.  He was truly a one-of-a-kind Father.  And he showed us all how to really enjoy life.

We first met the Hartenbergers when they moved to Moccasin, MT.  Fritz caught more fish when we went fishing because their dog Snapper was a "fish pointing dog".  Mary gladly fried rattlesnake meat we shot in a cattle crossing while hunting prairie chickens.  Superintendent Fritz asked the school board to purchase waterproof carpeting for the school library.  When the sample he passed around at the school board meeting got to me I poured some of my coffee in the saucer and put the carpet in it.  The carpet quickly soaked up the coffee.  Fritz said "see it is waterproof".   One of my favorite Fritz quotes is "have fun, fun, fun".  He made life fun.      
 

How could anyone ever forget "Fritz?" He was my friend, my classmate, my MOTORCYCLE buddy and fellow traveler but most importantly, he, his parents, his immediate family, Mary and children treated me and many as a brother in Jesus. I can't wait to see him in heaven. I'll bet he has already shown God many things.

I don't know even where to start except at the beginning when I first had the pleasure (and fear) of meeting the man with the long, firm handshake.  Cami had made a point of warning me.  He must have been off his game that day because there was nothing out of the ordinary.  Firm, but definitely not long.  And so began my relationship with the man that would eventually become my father-in-law.

There are so many memories, but here are a few that stand out for me.  After I had graduated from high school, Fritz let me "rent" this gorgeous orange and black Vega - even though he knew my loath for my Beaver brethren.  It was a hand me down that had been driven by many of the Hartenberger kids.  He agreed after a test drive that the clutch needed to be replaced.  My solution was to take it to a shop - he had another idea.  We worked on that thing for the better part of a weekend and finally got it done.  That was the last time he asked for my help with anything related to autos.  I thought he might hold it against me, but he must have recognized my other strengths.

I also remember later in that same summer, a man ran into me in a parking lot.  I did what every boyfriend would do.  I cursed my bad luck and made the phone call.  I explained what happened and he said he'd be right down.  He came down with a napkin and a pen and had the nice gentleman agree that the accident was his fault.  When the man tried to recant, Fritz showed up with the evidence and the dispute was settled.  Little did he, or I know, what profession I would end up choosing, but I've always made a point of documenting all things important.

I remember Christmas 1987.  I had made plans to ask Cami to be my wife.  I had only talked with my mom and dad before hand.  I remember taking Cami out to dinner and she knew something was up.  I popped the question and suggested we go pay a visit to her parents so I could ask his permission to marry his daughter.  I thought my heart was going to pounce out of my chest.  He was smart enough to suggest we go play some pool downstairs.  I finally mustered up enough courage and asked for his blessing.  Without missing a beat, he reached into his pocket, gave me a quarter, and said she "was mine now."  I still have that quarter.

I also remember the time he wanted to go for a boat ride from the waterfront on the Willamette to the coast.  We ran into some bad weather and put a hole in the side of the boat.  We spent the night on an island until morning broke and then managed to get to the side and make the call to Mary to come an pick us up.  We both agreed that we would not try a stunt like that again.

Fritz and Mary helped us buy our first car and home.  Fritz read most of my papers I submitted in law school.  Fritz was all about family and friends.  I hope I can take what I've learned from Fritz and be the same kind of husband and father to all of my girls.

I think he's finally at peace and looking down on all of us, smiling and thinking life could not have been any better.  Well, not better than a C+ anyway.