Harold (“Hedy”) Leroy Ertman, 85, of Pemaquid Point, and Palm Desert, Calif., passed away on Jan. 19. The last year and a half of his life, he suffered from lung cancer.
Hedy was born in Lockport, N.Y., on March 25, 1932 to Laverne and Viola (Brewer) Ertman. He was educated in Lutheran Day School until the eighth grade, then attended Lockport’s Junior and Senior High Schools.
He was graduated from the University of Buffalo’s Pharmacy School in 1953, and entered naval service at OCS, Newport, R.I., graduating in 1954 as an ensign. He entered the naval air program as a reserve officer and received his wings at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida in March 1955. After further training he became a single seat fighter jet pilot, training on carriers while stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station in California. In April 1958, he completed an eight-month carrier deployment to the Far East.
A month later he married Ann Louise Robinson, whom he had met on a commercial airliner, and the pair enjoyed 59 years together. They both loved international travel, visiting every continent and favorite countries many times.
Hedy joined Beckman Instruments in 1961 where he worked for 25 years, first in Palo Alto, Calif., and later in Fullerton, Calif., taking many roles in sales and marketing management. While employed at Beckman he attended graduate school at night, and received an MBA from the University of Santa Clara. Hedy and Ann raised their family in Sunnyvale, Calif., and later, San Clemente, Calif. After Beckman, Hedy took a job with Varian Instruments in Walnut Creek, Calif. for a year, and then the pair took a year off and spent six months circling the globe.
On their return to California, Hedy accepted a job at Christ College Irvine (now Concordia University) – a new, small Lutheran college, as assistant to the president, and worked in development there for five years before retiring at age 60.
He was always active in his Lutheran congregations, taking the role of congregational president for many years and teaching adult Bible class as well. Hedy was known for his positive attitude, generosity to all and for his loving and giving spirit. His Christian faith was an example and an inspiration to his family and his friends.
After 40 years in California, the couple settled in coastal Maine for 20 years, often returning to California for the winter. The last 10 winters were spent in Palm Desert, Calif, where Hedy enjoyed playing tennis at Silver Sands Racquet Club, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by children, Holly Ertman Patterson of Fullerton, Calif., Robin Ertman Scott (Scott) of Templeton, Calif., and Douglas Ertman of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandchildren, Philip Patterson (Samantha) of Las Cruces, N.M., Drew Scott of Boise, Ida., Stuart Scott of Chongqing, China, and Annabel Scott, of Fort Worth, Tex.
A memorial service will be held at Water of Life Lutheran Church later this spring.
