Page 14 - Chapter-Ball-Journal-2023

Robert Hartman Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

The Nassau Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award was
established in 2010 by Steve Connelly, the fifth President
of the Nassau Chapter. It was created to recognize Brother
Knights of Nassau County who have made outstanding AND
continuous contributions to the NASSAU CHAPTER, throughout
the years as members of our cherished Order.

Unlike the Knight of the Year Award which recognizes the
contributions of a Knight during the Columbian Year, it is a measure of
a Knight’s life work and long-term dedication to the Nassau Chapter of
the Knights of Columbus. To date, many of the recipients have been Robert Hartman, PGK, FDD, PFN
involved in the work of the Nassau Chapter since its genesis.

In 2012, upon the passing of our Beloved Brother, Bob Hartman, the Award was immediately renamed in his
honor. In fact, when word reached then-Chapter President Mike Murtha, the decision was made to rename within the
award in minutes.

Service to others was always at the center of Bob’s core. Having been part of our Nation’s “Greatest
Generation”, he answered the call of Duty during World War II. Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard an L. S. T.
After returning home Bob would join the New York City Fire Department. He would serve as a firefighter for over 30
years. His final assignment was with Engine 301 in Queens.

Bob Hartman was an integral member of the Nassau Chapter and the Order in general. Bob had truly “done it
all”. He’d been a Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Faithful Navigator, District Deputy, Chairman of the Board, Chapter
Warden and Founding Father of the Nassau County Chapter. His work as Financial Secretary was so outstanding, that he
was called upon to train other Financial Secretaries in the proper way to do the job. Bob was a Chapter Knight of the
Year and the first recipient of the Nassau Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. There was a legend in the Nassau
Chapter, that he had been one of Fr. McGivney’s Altar boys.

As the Nassau Chapter was in its early stages, Bob was one of the Brothers who helped organize the men into
NAK (The Nassau Association of Knights) and stood right next to our Charter President, Steve Tommony, when we were
granted our Charter. His remaining years were dedicated to service to the Nassau County Chapter. He would be
appointed (and repeatedly reappointed) Warden to the President until he passed away. Bob wanted to be involved and
give himself to the Nassau Chapter. He NEVER sought to run for office. He felt he could make a much better
contribution to his Chapter from the sidelines. His experience and wisdom would serve the Chapter better than any
manual, by-law or policy.

For all that Bob offered his Brothers, the most valuable thing was himself. Having accomplished all he had, and
having earned all the titles he had, Bob never took himself too seriously. Ne never let any of it go to his head. He was
very proud of what he’d accomplished but never looked down his nose at a soul. He treated the newly minted First
Degree Brother with the same respect and feeling of importance as the most veteran Sir Knight. Over the years he would
be there for anyone needing his counsel or assistance. He would lend an ear to someone with an idea to run past him, or
simply to vent.

Those who knew Bob are very fortunate. Those whom he’d been there for are certainly wiser. Those who called
him their Brother, are truly blessed. May all those recipients of this high honor receive the favor and blessings of
Almighty God forever.

This page was contributed by Steve Connolly, PCP, Steve Tommony, PCP, Mike Murtha, PCP, and Steve Driscoll, PCP