Nelson Hartman, 90 of Fort Collins, Colorado was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on February 15, 2018 after a long battle with dementia. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Nila Mae Jones Hartman; two children, Cynthia Hartman of Fort Collins, CO and Clark & Karen Hartman of Delaware, OH; by three grandchildren, Drs. Elizabeth & Robby Kuo of Cincinnati OH, Sarah Hartman of Columbus, OH, and Andrew & Kelly Hartman, the parents of one great grandchild, Grant of Columbus, OH; two sisters-in law, Kathryn Jones Miller and Julia (Maureen) Jones together with many nephews, nieces and a large extended family.

Nelson was born on November 3, 1927 to Henry & Elizabeth Scheuerman Hartman in Bison, Kansas and graduated from Bison High School in 1945. He attended Fort Hays Kansas State College where he received both Bachelors (‘49) and Masters (‘57) Degrees in Education. Hartman taught mathematics and coached in Claflin, Cunningham and WaKeeney, Kansas and was Principal and Superintendent of Schools in Goddard, Kansas before joining the Kansas State High School Activities Association in Topeka in 1963 where he later became Executive Director and remained through his retirement in 1993.

Hartman received numerous local and national awards and was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Federation of State High School Associations, as well as the USA Olympic Basketball Committee. He is most known for the development of the overtime rules used in interscholastic football and for his good citizenship-sportsmanship policies. He dedicated his life to promoting positive values in the youth of Kansas through education and sports.

Nelson most enjoyed visiting with family and friends, who will miss him greatly. He will be remembered as a principal with principle who would take time to help and encourage students and generously gave his time and resources to those he loved. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2018 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80525. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nelson’s name to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Youth Ministry. Memories may be shared on the Tribute Wall at http://www.goesfuneralcare.com/obituaries/Nelson-Hartman/