August 26, 1941 - September 6, 2019
Walter Garth Hartzell went to be with the Lord at the age of 78, on September 6, 2019. After a 10 year battle with Alzheimers, he passed away peacefully at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, BC. with family by his side.
Walter was born August 26, 1941 in Wadena, SK. Raised on a farm South of Kelvington, SK, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force under the ROTP program and subsequently graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Geological Engineering. After graduation, he went on to pilot training and eventually flew the CF-101 Voodoo. He married Patricia Ann Nelson on August 3rd, 1963, in Prince Albert, SK. In 1972, after graduating from Western University with a degree in medicine, he continued serving in the RCAF as a Medical Doctor in Moose Jaw, SK as Base Surgeon. The next two years were spent in London, England, completing graduate studies in Aviation, Environmental and Occupational Medicine. His final tour in the Air Force was in Toronto, ON at the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine where he received the St. John's Cross for a paper he wrote on Hypoxia. Walt retired from the RCAF in 1986 taking on a position with Canadian Pacific Airlines as their Chief Medical Director in Vancouver, BC. In 1990 Walt struck out on his own, starting the Health Care business Hart Profiles and eventually partnering with his good friend Harv Haakinson to form HealthServ. Walt was fully retired by the age of 65.
A great lover of nature and the outdoors. Walter and Patricia, his wife of 56 years, enjoyed spending time at their Bridge Lake cabin fishing and hiking, especially when the grandchildren were around!
Walter is predeceased in death by parents Robert (Bob) and Gertrude (Trudy) Hartzell, brother Richard (Dick) Hartzell, sister Roberta (Robin) Cowie.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Hartzell of White Rock, BC; son Shaun Hartzell (Robin) of Cold Lake, AB; daughter Tracee Horvath (Zoltan) of Langley, BC; son Ryan Hartzell (Allyn) of White Rock, BC; grandchildren, Liam Hartzell (Lise) of Edmonton, AB, Jordan Hartzell of Edmonton, AB, Aria, Elisha, Elijah and Noah Horvath of Langley, BC, Robert and Benjamin Hartzell of White Rock BC; great granddaughters Ava and Adelaide Hartzell of Edmonton, AB; brother Brian Hartzell (Carole) of Barry, ON, sister Orlynn Lowndes (Glen) of Kelvington, SK; brother in law Bruce Cowie of Warman, SK and a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved friends and relatives.
A memorial service was held at on 13 September at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey, BC. Donations to the Alzheimers Society of Canada would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre 604-536-6522