With great sadness, we share that Wm. Brian Hartman, 67, of Michigan, passed away on November 5, 2022, after a courageous battle against cancer. He fought mightily with his daughter-in-law, Lindsay, tenaciously by his side along the way.

Brian was born on September 29, 1955, to his parents, Bill & Marian Hartman, and was later joined by his brother, Rob. The son of teachers, he grew up in several interesting places including Hershey, PA and Frankenmuth, MI where he would graduate high school in 1973.

After a brief tour of the world while serving in the US Merchant Marines, he discovered his love for the sea as a well-fed passenger thanks to a misplaced air tank leading to a broken toe.

Brian then went on to eventually graduate from Western Michigan University where he discovered his other lifetime love for real estate which led to his first of many businesses, Kalamazoo Appraisal Service.

While in Kalamazoo, he met his former wife, Debra Pylat, and went on to have their only child, a son, William “Bill” Brian Hartman II, that was his self-proclaimed greatest accomplishment and pride of his life. All that knew Bill and Brian were well aware that when Brian tried to describe his son, he could only say “When I grow up, I want to be like my son, Bill.”

Brian always lived life to the absolute fullest and encouraged everyone around him to do the same. Whether he was in the Caribbean, Lake Michigan, the mountains, or Up North, he believed life was meant to be lived. Whether driving motorcycles, cars, boats, snowmobiles, planes, or even a snowplow or a lawn mower, he always chased joy and found great happiness in watching others do the same.

Along the way, he became best friends with everyone he encountered and he loved them all. Each new person became part of his family. Every person got to have a grand story with him. These hundreds or thousands of people were embraced with his encouragement, knowledge, laughter, support, and love.

Brian is survived by his son, William “Bill” Hartman and beloved daughter-in-law, personal attorney, chef, chauffeur, and loving caregiver, Lindsay (Davenport) Hartman of Grand Haven, MI. He was predeceased by his parents, William “Bill” and Marian (Marx) Hartman and brother. Robert Hartman.

A private burial was held at West Oshtemo Cemetery in Kalamazoo, MI. A tribute to Brian will also be placed in the cemetery on Mackinac Island for all to visit while living up life, as he wished.

A celebration of Brian’s life will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Martell’s Restaurant, 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., Kalamazoo, MI 49008. This will be an open-house style event and all are invited to enjoy heavy appetizers, drinks, desserts and live music from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Brian’s memorial at The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) https://bit.ly/BrianHartman (case-sensitive) or search for his memorial at https://join.pcf.org/memorials/memorials.