Paul A. Hartman

Paul A. Hartman, 77, of Green Bay, passed away on February 2, 2024. Paul was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1946 to the late Grant and Mary (Potter) Hartman. He grew up on a farm just northwest of Manitowoc and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1964. Paul majored in Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, eventually earning a master’s degree in Horticulture and Adult Education. He was a 50+ year member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In 1970, Paul married his college sweetheart, Ann, and together they shared over 53 years of marriage.

In 1976, Paul took a position in Green Bay as the Horticulture Agent for Brown County University of Wisconsin Extension, launching a 30-year career that would result in extensive efforts to preserve the environment and bring the joy and beauty of nature and gardening to the community. Paul unwittingly became a local celebrity through writing a weekly newspaper column for 30 years, teaching horticulture through Master Gardener classes, and regularly appearing on television and radio programs.

While Paul participated in many community organizations and environmental efforts, he will be best remembered for his pivotal role in helping found the Green Bay Botanical Garden and the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation. Paul collaborated with many people to help start the Green Bay Botanical Garden with efforts dating back to 1978. In 1997, Paul galvanized community efforts to preserve a parcel of land set aside for development on the east side of Green Bay. This land was encompassed into the Baird Creek Greenway and the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation was born. In 2021, the Paul Hartman Living Prairie was dedicated in his honor.

In addition to his professional achievements, Paul was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Paul was passionate about his faith as a long-time member and elder of Bethel Baptist Church. He exercised outdoors whenever possible in all seasons, including cross country skiing at Baird Creek, running in nearly every Bellin Run, and taking daily swims in Green Bay’s fabulous public pools.

He is survived by his wife Ann (Nunemaker) Hartman, his daughters Trinity (Robert Blasum) Hartman and Paula (James) Bigham, his siblings Grant (Jean) Hartman, Jr., John (Marvis) Hartman, Rosemary Hartman, Allen (Lisa) Hartman, Sally (Steve Dunbar) Hartman, and Glen (Barbara Bair) Hartman, his brother-in-law Charles (Dorothy) Nunemaker and sister-in-law Susan (Richard) Braun, along with grandchildren Konrad Blasum, Hallie Bigham, and Silas Bigham as well as numerous well-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Bill Olson, and grandson Josiah Bigham.

Friends may visit Thursday, February 15, from 4-7pm at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Road. Visitation will continue Friday, February 16, at Bethel Baptist Church, 1601 Libal St., from 10-11am.The service will be celebrated at 11am, officiated by Pastor Kirk Leach, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Our family would like to thank Preceptor Home Health Hospice, Unity Hospice, and the incredible staff at The Courtyard at Bellevue Memory Care who took such loving care of Paul.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation, the Green Bay Botanical Garden, or Bethel Baptist Church.