Jessie Milton Hartman Jr., the son of Theresa (Cervone) Hartman and Jessie M. Hartman, was born in Greenport, NY into an Air Force family. As a result, Jessie spent his early years living throughout the United States and in Japan.

Jessie graduated from high school in 1974. He was not only the class president but also one of the toughest athletes on the football field and wrestling mat. Jessie was known for his big smile, firm handshake and “having done the most for the school.” As he went off to West Point, the community was certain it had sent its best to serve their country. 

At West Point in those days, the “help” administered by upperclassmen in transitioning a high school star into a lowly plebe was a highly evolved art form. As luck would have it, after Beast Barracks Jessie was assigned to Company H-1, where he remained for four years. H-1 had a well-earned reputation even then as an “old school” mecca for plebe-hazing enthusiasts. While all the plebes in H-1 had a more difficult time than most, Jessie had an uncanny way of not quite saying the right thing, at not quite the right time. This of course endeared Jessie to the upperclassmen, who took extra time to “help” him with his transition into the model H-1 plebe.

A story from his plebe year epitomizes Jessie. One of his classmates was the Head Minute Caller for REORG week, the first week of the academic year. That classmate still describes it as the worst time of his entire life. As the Head Minute Caller, he was an immobile, sitting duck target for the upper class professional hazers of H-1. At one particular time during that week, one of the minute callers was not at the minute calling station at the far end of a hallway. As a result, one of the cows was yelling loudly at the Head Minute Caller for not having all of his subordinate minute callers on duty. As the one-way discussion escalated in volume and intensity, suddenly a door opened halfway down the hallway. Jessie came out in a flash of speed and, in perfect plebe 120 step-per-minute, chin tucked-in marching form, went straight to the empty minute calling station and started calling the minutes! The cow simply looked down the hallway at Jessie reciting the minute countdown and commented, “That is the way it should be done,” and walked away. Jessie saved the Head Minute Caller that day. That classmate said he’s never forgotten it, especially since he barely knew who Jessie was at that time. Later, he asked Jessie why he took on someone else’s duty in a very difficult situation: Jessie replied, “You needed help, and I couldn’t let a classmate down.” This says all that is needed to know about Jessie at West Point. He had learned the fundamental lesson of teamwork and then demonstrated selflessness and courage by turning a concept into action before the end of the first academic week of his plebe year. It is easy to understand why Jessie’s West Point friends were lifelong. He celebrated each day to its fullest and was always eager to share his kind and giving spirit with all around him.

Jessie graduated in 1978 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry. He served honorably in the U.S. Army for eight years, leaving the service as a captain. He served with distinction as a platoon leader and executive officer in 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment at Fort Hood, TX and twice as a company commander in the 3rd Armored Division at various posts throughout Germany.

After serving his country, Jessie eventually became a quality engineer for Valeo, Inc., for which he worked for 15 years. Afterwards, he held various quality positions with multiple companies until ultimately joining Johnson Electric in Vandalia, OH as its Regional Quality Director in 2013. He traveled extensively for his job and never met a stranger, making lifelong friends wherever he went.

Jessie had a very special ability to make everyone feel like his best friend, whether one had not seen him in years, or if a person was meeting him for the first time. A classmate described the pleasure of sharing an evening with Jessie and his wife, Cynthia. The classmate’s wife had heard about Jessie but never met him before that evening. The classmate himself had not seen Jessie for several years. Within minutes, the four of them were laughing so hard that they were crying.

Many of Jessie’s classmates are forever thankful that a number of them got together in December 2014 for the Army-Navy Game weekend in Baltimore. At the time, cajoling friends to participate, they joked that in the future they would only be older and the get-togethers more difficult and likely less pleasant with the infirmities of old age. Little did they know that it would be the final time many of them would be with Jessie. He was in his prime, irreverent and hilarious as always.

Jessie always enjoyed the company of his friends and family, and nothing made him happier than to host a gathering where people came together to celebrate and have a good time. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his son, Jamie, and his daughter, Niki, taking great pride in their accomplishments. Jessie dearly loved his wife and soulmate, Cynthia (Fochtman) Hartman, and was so very grateful for their time together.

— Brad Andrew ’78, friend and classmate