Harvey D. Harts, 91, passed away at The Piper Assisted Living and Memory Care in Kansas City, KS on January 26, 2019, surrounded by loving family, joining his loving wife Nancy.
Harvey was born in Ellsworth, KS on April 10, 1927, the son of Oscar and Mabel (White) Harts. He grew up on the Rocky Springs ranch with his many siblings “down the old Oxide Road”, where he learned many skills that helped him in his career and in life.
After graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1946, he left the farm and worked for a contracting company in the construction of the Kanopolis Dam. A few years later he joined the Northern Natural Gas Company. After two years in the Army serving in the Korean War, he returned to his home of Ellsworth, and continued working at Northern Natural Gas Company, finishing out a 38-year career. While at Northern, he started working as an Oiler, was promoted many times and finished as a Master Mechanic.
He met a Lorraine girl, the love of his life, Nancy Ann Schroeder and they later married on January 7, 1956. Shortly thereafter, Harvey and Nancy welcomed a daughter, Becky, and a son, Terry. They enjoyed more than a 55-year marriage.
Throughout his life, Harvey enjoyed many hobbies and activities. These included camping, motorcycle touring, auto mechanics, Ham radio operator and civic weather watching for the Police Department. One of his other favorite activities, which he continued until almost 90 years of age, was clock repair, where he traveled extensively to pick up and repair clocks. While clearly under-charging for his work, his passion for clock repair far outweighed the monetary reward!
Harvey was preceded in death by his wife Nancy in 2011 and by his parents, 3 sisters and 4 brothers.
“Paca”, as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, is survived by his daughter, Becky Anderson, and her husband, Denny of Missoula, MT; son, Terry Harts, and his wife, Annie, of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren, Karly (Kyle) Shafer of Missoula, MT, Alex Anderson of Missoula, MT, Dalton Harts, of Brooklyn, NY, and Anna Harts of Manhattan, KS. Great-grandchildren are Levi and Taelyn Shafer of Missoula, MT. Harvey is also survived by his brother Roger (Doris) Harts of Cleburne, TX and numerous nieces and nephews
Harvey will be remembered for his love of family, Ellsworth, traveling the country to visit grandkids, his inability to sit still, his incredible patience with his grandkids, and his colorful stories that he told that could never be proved or disproved!
The family would like to thank The Piper Assisted Living staff for their wonderful love and appreciation of Harvey, especially Vivian Union and the Armourdale team, as well as Catholic Charities Hospice.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring, when Harvey would have celebrated his 92nd birthday. Further details will be disclosed at a later date.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Meadowlark Fund, c/o Memory Program or Catholic Charities Hospice in care of Signature Funerals at 406 E. Bannister Road, Suite D, Kansas City, MO 64131.
Dad, we hope you’re up there “still kickin’” and that you’re showing off your one-legged squats! We miss you already.
Losing a loved one is never easy. We know they are in a better place but we miss them here with us. I pray your memories of your Dad will bring you sweet smiles and comfort.
Jenne
Living by Harvey in Ellsworth for 10 years was a treat. The guy was always on the move and just watch out when he was on his scooter! His love and compassion he had for his wife for so many years was truly Inspiring. I’ll never forget when I walked out the back door to see a ladder on the picnic table and Harvey on the roof of the house. “Fixing the roof he said.”
Sorry for your loss of a great man and a great husband.
So very sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful obituary. His history explains so much about his wonderful family and the love you shared. Bless you all!
It was such a honor to get to know and love this man . He has bought great joy to my heart. I have memories with him that i will stay with me forever . When there is a great day outside , i will think of how much he enjoyed going out to the patio. also how excited he was to go on and outing and crack jokes of how lost we are LOL. Oh my, soooo many memories that has totally touched my heart. I have also adopted a great humble family. Thank you for always trusting and believing in me and my team. And allowing us to care for such a wonderful man. We will him so much .
I will miss Harvey very much. He was a sweetheart.
Harvey kept our antique family clocks running for many years. He was the best!
My sympathy to you and your families. Your dad was a kind soul, whose laugh always made you smile.
We visited often when Harvey would come over to Bert and Adrien’s house. God bless you all.
love and miss Harvey at the SteakHouse. He is at home now with Nancy. Hugs to all.