Hartnett

Robert J. Hartnett, 76, of Chicora, died at 9:25 p.m. Saturday at Manor Care Center on Perry Highway following an extended illness.

He was a former superintendent of the Karns City School District.

Born on June 12, 1931, in Monaca, he was the son of Jerry and Joan Sullivan Hartnett.

A 1949 graduate of Monaca High School, he attended Slippery Rock State College, graduating in 1954 with a bachelor of science degree in English.

Mr. Hartnett then served in the Army from 1954 to 1956 attaining the rank of corporal. Much of his military time was spent in Germany as a military intelligence analyst at Seventh Army Headquarters.

Continuing his education following his military service, he earned a master of arts degree in guidance and administration at Westminster College in New Wilmington.

He later received his Ph.D equivalency degree in public school superintendency from West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.V.

His career began at Northern Butler County School District, now Moniteau School District, as an English teacher, and he later served as guidance counselor as well as high school principal for 12 years and assistant superintendent for three years.

At Moniteau, he also served as head basketball coach and assistant football coach for many years.

Mr. Hartnett then moved to the Karns City School District to serve as superintendent from 1972 to his retirement on June 1, 1987. Under his direction, curriculum and the physical plans were both improved and expanded to meet the needs of the area.

Following retirement from Karns City, he served as interim administrator of Butler County Vo-Tech, Moniteau High School and Butler School District. He had been an active member of the Moniteau Education Association and the Pennsylvania and National Education associations. He had been a member of the Association of High School Principals and of the Retired School Superintendents Association.

He had served as a member of the Butler County Housing Authority and the Butler County Redevelopment Authority.

An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the St. Jude Country Club near Chicora and Highland Golf Course.

In addition to golf, he enjoyed bowling and reading.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth J. "Betty" Muscatello Hartnett, whom he married July 14, 1962; two sons, Gerald "Jerry" Hartnett and wife, Morgan, of Pittsburgh, and Kevin Hartnett and wife, Gwen, of Allentown; three grandchildren, Matthew, Jamison and Thomas Hartnett; one brother, Donald Hartnett of New York City; two sisters, Margaret Hartnett and Dorothy Gumpf, both of Beaver Falls; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, a sister, Nancy Hartnett, also preceded him in death.

<B>Hartnett</B> — Friends of Robert J. Hartnett, who died, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home,</B> Wayne Street, Parker. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Chicora at 10 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. David Dewitt officiating. Entombment will follow at Butler County Memorial Park, Butler.Condolences and information can be found at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.