The Biomedical Engineering Technology community lost one of its greats with the death of Myron David Hartman, 56, on May 4, 2015.
A loving family man, Myron passed away surrounded by loved ones. His family and countless others mourned the loss.
“I know I’m not the only one grieving, because Myron touched so many lives and was well known in so many states and countries,” his wife Amy Hartman said. “I know this is God’s will, but I can’t understand it in any way. The world has lost a wonderful, loving, caring, giving, understanding, compassionate, and Christian man, husband, father, nephew, teacher, and friend.”
As a professor at Penn State University, New Kensington, Myron did more than share his knowledge. He connected with young adults serving as a mentor and a friend.
“To me, Myron was a teacher, a mentor, a friend, and a role model,” former student Jacob Hetu said. “He was someone I respected, and still do very much. He took me under his wing when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life and gave me direction.”
His reach extended across oceans. In 2011, Myron went to the Republic of Liberia to repair medical equipment and train personnel at local hospitals. The trip resulted in a program to send Liberian technicians to the United States to train under Myron. The technicians stayed with the Hartman family and acquired the education and skills to teach their fellow technicians at Liberian hospitals.
Prior to Penn State, he was the director of clinical engineering at South Hills Health System and for many years taught at the DITEC Teaching Facility. He authored articles relating to the biomedical field in TechNation and was an editorial board member for Medical Dealer and TechNation.
MD Publishing President and Founder John Krieg said Myron Hartman’s legacy is one of quality education and leadership.
“Myron was the professor of Biomedical Engineering Technology who is going to leave an indelible mark on the field for up and coming generations,” Krieg said.
His professional accomplishments include many awards, among them the PSEAS Outstanding Teacher Award, Best of 2011 Biomedical Professionals, Biomed of the Month and the Donald M. Sauerman Award.
Myron worked closely with DITEC Founder Manny Roman and became a close family friend of Manny and his wife, Ruth.
“On Monday, May 4, our industry lost an educator, a leader, a spokesman and a great influence in the HTM industry, Myron Hartman. He touched and enhanced many lives,” the Romans said in an email. “Myron will be dearly missed, not only by his wife, Amy, and children, Brian, Scott, Katie, but also by anyone fortunate enough to have known him. He embodied the phrase: ‘Always Leave Others Better For Having Known You.’”
“Although rarely in the limelight, Myron was instrumental in enhancing the industry to where it is today,” they added. “He was our dear friend and mentor. We shall miss him.”
Stephen Maull, President and CEO of Maull Biomedical Training LLC, said words cannot describe the emptiness felt in the wake of Myron’s death.
“He positively affected more people in this industry than probably any of us,” Maull said. “He will be missed, so missed. I will miss him professionally and personally at a magnitude I’m not sure I can even comprehend right now. A finer friend, husband and father did not walk amongst us. Our world was a better place with him and because of him, and we are now lesser without him. Godspeed, Myron.”
For an extended version of this article, visit www.1technation.com/memoriam-myron-hartman
