Paul V. Hartman

Paul Vincent Hartman, MD, 83 years old, of Athens Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on December 21st, 2024.

In addition to being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Paul was known for his fierce loyalty to friends and animals, particularly his beloved dogs. He was renowned for his rapier wit, love of literature, and zest for knowledge. He had a passion for the arts, music, and theater and he spent half of a century as an amateur thespian in live stage performances. As a devout Christian, Paul was one of the founding members of Grace Fellowship Church and played many biblical characters on the church stage, with the exception of Jesus, whom he is now united with in His heavenly home.

The son of Vincent and Ethel Hartman was born in Atlantic City, NJ in 1941 and was present during the decades that the city was at its peak as “America’s Playground”. Paul loved the seashore and had sand in his shoes from his first steps. He enjoyed swimming, rowing, surfing, and sailing. He spent nine summers as a lifeguard on the local beach patrol.

Paul attended grade school in Margate, NJ and later graduated from Atlantic City High School, where he excelled in math and chemistry. He continued to pursue the field of science technology at Drexel University, but later elected to focus on the areas of math and chemistry at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honors. He felt the calling to be a physician, and was admitted to New Jersey College of Medicine. Upon graduation, Paul was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for their five year program specializing in surgery. However, in the final month of his first year at the Mayo Clinic, he was recruited to Yale University, where he entered the field of Radiation Oncology, and eventually accepted a position as Professor of Medicine, with focus on researching cures for cancer. In his words, “Cancer is the worst thing one can get, and I want to be involved in ending it.”

After several years on the faculty at Yale, Paul accepted a position in private practice at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. He remained there for eleven years, and then received another call from Yale, asking him if he would consider coming back on the teaching staff in Radiation Oncology.  He accepted and taught for a few more years, and then received a call in 1986 to start a new cancer facility in Athens, Georgia.

Paul settled in Athens with his family - Cyndy, his wife of 56 years whom he often referred to as “Queen of the Beach”, and his daughter Kimberly, whom he wholeheartedly adored and whose very name caused Paul’s face to radiate joy and pride. In 1998 he gained a son-in-law, Todd, whom Paul trusted with everything in life he valued, and, in 2009, his grandson Spencer was born, bringing immeasurable joy and complete contentment to Paul’s life.

Paul is survived by his wife Cyndy Hartman of Athens, Georgia, daughter Kimberly Hartman Kennedy, son-in-law Todd Kennedy, and grandson Spencer Hartman Kennedy all of Atlanta, Georgia, and sister Nancy Phillips of Plano, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00am at Grace Fellowship 1120 Malcom Bridge Road Bogart, Georgia 30622.