Thomas Peter Hartsig

Thomas Peter Hartsig

May 9, 1927 through July 22, 2023

Tom passed away peacefully in his sleep at Holly Care Homes, in Longview, WA. Tom had a full life, with many accomplishments. He was born in Ann Arbor, MI to the family of Otto and Theresa (McGuire) Hartsig and spent most of his life as a Michigan resident, graduating from Fraser High School in 1945 then earning his bachelor degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters from the University of Michigan. Tom then taught math at Bentley High School in Livonia for two years before joining the US Airforce becoming a pilot, earning his ‘wings’ in a T6 Texan, then flying Lockheed F-94 all-weather interceptor jets. After leaving the service Tom married his wife Mary Jane in 1954 and went back into teaching math in Livonia. He taught calculus at Michigan State University briefly because the university noticed how well his former students did in math and invited him to teach.

Tom helped introduce computers into education by being the Director of Computer Based Education for Macomb County, MI. He also started his own software company in the early 1980s that created instructional software programs to teach children math on one of the first personal computers, a Texas Instruments 99/4. His efforts to incorporate computers into education and improve learning opportunities for children were recognized by the State of Michigan with Senate Resolution No. 559. While in his later years, he wrote a detailed paper on how this evolving technology would greatly enhance the learning of younger children in our society.

With all his accomplishments, Tom was most proud of his family and greatly enjoyed the time spent with them. He was a prolific reader, enjoyed golfing, hiking, traveling and recreational flying with his son Morgan.

Tom is survived by three sons, Morgan (Christine) Hartsig of Romeo, MI, Bradley (Elizabeth) Hartsig of Longview, WA, Kurt (Therese) Hartsig of Wenatchee, WA, a daughter Kathy (Joseph) Eberle of Honor, MI and Linda Hartsig, Widow of his son Mike of Tucson, AZ, siblings Rosemary Pietsch of Florida, John (Cindy) of Howell, MI, Widow of James (Jane) Hartsig, Novi, MI, Widow of William (Micky) Hartsig, New Baltimore, MI, eleven grandchildren, ten precious great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane (Morgan) Hartsig in 1997, two sons, Tommy Hartsig as an infant, and Mike Hartsig in 2021, and five of his brothers, Joe, Larry, Richard, James and William

A military service and burial will be in the Romeo Cemetery beside his wife Mary Jane on Saturday Oct 21 with a luncheon to follow. An informal memorial is scheduled for September 17, 2023 at 10am ET at Kathy and Joe Eberle’s home in Honor, MI.