Robert Charles Hartley's Obituary
Robert Charles Hartley, 88, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015. Bob was born in Ravenswood, West Virginia on April 7, 1927 to Howard Dean Hartley and Cora Frances Moore. He graduated from Ravenswood High School in 1944 at age 16 and attended Duke University on a football scholarship, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.Following in his brother’s footsteps, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy in 1946 and served for 18 months before returning home to pursue his passion for football and obtain an education at Marshall University. While at Marshall, Bob was the Thundering Herd’s 1948 Back of the Year, and his 87-yard quick kick in the 1948 Tangerine Bowl still stands as a record in the game now known as the Florida Citrus Bowl. Bob graduated from Marshall with a B.A. in Business and a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Psychology. He was later inducted into the Marshall University Football Hall of Fame in 1998 and then honored in 2000 by the Big Green Foundation with the naming of the Robert C. Hartley Room at Cam Henderson Center. Bob received offers to play football from both the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, signing with New York in May 1950, where he played in the backfield alongside Tom Landry. After a leg injury prematurely ended his NFL career, he returned to Huntington, West Virginia to the coach the basketball and football programs at Vinson High School. Bob went on to lead the Vinson Tigers football team to back-to-back State Championships in 1950 and 1951. In recognition of his coaching achievements, he was selected to the coaching staff of the 1952 West Virginia North-South Football All-Star Classic and later inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Hall of Fame. Shortly after leaving football as a player and coach, Bob moved his family to Texas to work with Texas Instruments. After eight years with Texas Instruments, Bob began a career with The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. During his first year on the job, Bob became a member of The Presidents Council, an honor achieved by less than 1% of the company’s employees. Bob’s continued success with MONY earned him the induction into the Mutual of New York Hall of Fame, the company’s highest honor. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Colleen; his daughter, Lisa Hartley Bettis and son, Kendal Hartley and his wife, Cindy. He was a Papa to Turner Bettis, Hartley Bettis Haynes and husband, Marcus, Katie Hartley, Davis Hartley, Karleigh Hartley and his great granddaughter, Vivian Claire Haynes. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gene Gleim, niece Gere Gleim as well as many extended family and friends. His parents and 4 siblings preceded him in death. Throughout Bob’s personal and professional accomplishments, he stood strong in his faith and instilled these same values into the lives of his children and grandchildren. As a devout member of the United Methodist Church, Bob served in many capacities. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Monday, January 4, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church Richardson at 4pm where he was a member for 45 years. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to his loving caregiver, Greg Ross, and the wonderful staff at Manchester Place in Richardson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Richardson at 503 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080; or the Big Green Scholarship Foundation Inc. at 1801 3rd Ave., Huntington, WV 25703.
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