Bruce Hartel

Bruce Hartel, of Cortez, CO, died peacefully at Mercy Regional Med Center in Durango on Jan.13, surrounded by his family and his dear friend, Lyle Rice. He was 87 and ready to move on. He is survived by his daughter Terry Woodrow (Mike) of Cortez; son Steve Hartel (Lisa Alecci) of Lakewood, CO; and 5 grand children. Son of Elmer Dillard Hartel and Ethel Veltmann, he was born Dec. 24, 1928, in Galveston, TX. He had a successful career as an aerospace engineer. He loved camping, jeeping , hanging out at his cabin in Crested Butte, and especially big game hunting. He was active in politics and served as a Republican committee chairman for 32 years in Jefferson County, CO. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Felicia Hartel, and his granddaughter, Jill Hartel. He moved to Cortez in 2012 from the Littleton/Denver area where he had lived since 1958. No service is planned.