Hartmann remembered as an official and a gentleman
Erman Hartmann had a special way about him.
He was a master football official, committed teacher and family man.
He was the rare official and umpire who others had nice things to say about.
Hartmann “Erm”, 85, of McMurray died July 28. He was a beloved and respected by many in the high school football community because of his prowess as a game official.
“Erman’s expertise and knowledge of the game was without question,” said Guy Montecalvo, who is a retired football coach from Washington and Canon-McMillan. “His comportment and calm demeanor prevented any escalation of anything that might happen on that field. Erman was one of the finest referees who I’ve ever had the pleasure to have do our games.
“He had a great crew of guys and gentlemen. You knew that if the WPIAL had assigned his crew to a game, then you were going to get a fair shake, and you can’t ask for anything more than that.”
“Erman was a good family guy, took care of what he had to take care of, and was a class individual all the way around.”
Denny Mader, a longtime official, was part of Hartmann’s crew. He had great admiration for Hartmann’s abilities and demeanor.
“He knew how to handle coaches. He knew how to handle players, and he knew how to handle officials,” Mader explained. “He did it in a very pleasant, diplomatic way.
“We had great respect for him. He brought us all together. He just knew how to run a game. And was professional. Erman taught me a lot. I thought, as a lot of people do, that I knew a lot. He taught me so much more about the rules, about enforcement of the penalties, and I was on the sidelines (as a side judge), so he taught me how to handle the coaches. He just knew how to do things the right way.”
The low-key Hartmann also was a well-rounded athlete at Brownsville High School and California State College. While his abilities as a football referee are known statewide, his athletic abilities as a baseball player flew under the radar.
Hartmann was the starting shortstop on two Vulcans teams, coached by Mitch Bailey, that advanced to the NAIA World Series in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1962 and 1963.
He played baseball throughout the Brownsville youth leagues, on the California American Legion team and was a four-year member of the Falcons’ varsity team from 1956-59. Hartmann also played basketball in high school.
At California State he was a teammate of former Pirates pitcher, the late Bruce Dal Canton.
It seems his humility, decision-making and ability to help others understand enveloped all his professional teaching, athletic, coaching, and officiating careers.
Hartmann began teaching at Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, Va., after graduating from California in 1963. He was a mathematics teacher, freshman basketball coach and junior varsity baseball coach until 1967, when he moved to McMurray to begin teaching at Upper St. Clair High School.
He is survived by his wife, JoDee. The couple have three daughters, Lianne DeFelices (Steve) and Kristen and Renee Hartmann.
Hartmann taught math at USC from 1967 to 1997, was the Panthers’ varsity baseball coach from 1967-70 and coached JV basketball from 1967-70 and in the early 1980s. Hartmann also coached middle school basketball.
“He was a very good guy,” said Upper St. Clair football coach and teacher Jim Render. “Erman was a very conscientious teacher, and a very, very conscientious referee. And he was a referee. He wasn’t a linesman or a back judge. He was the man in the white hat.
“The men faculty used to get together a few times a year and he was always the integral part. Everybody respected him. I never heard anybody say anything negative about Erman Hartmann.”
Over the course of Hartmann’s lengthy career, he officiated numerous WPIAL postseason football games, and at least four WPIAL championships and a PIAA title game.
In addition to football, he officiated volleyball and umpired baseball and softball.
Hartmann helped found the Iron City Football Officials Chapter and served as rules interpreter and evaluator.
“We were good friends, and he was a good person,” said longtime official and assignor Don Woodward. “Erman was an excellent official. He always had control of the game, and he did it without yelling and screaming. He had a pleasant, yet firm, way about him. I always thought that was unique.”
A gathering of family and friends will be held Aug. 9, from 2-6 p.m. at Pittsburgh Cremation and Funeral Care in McMurray. A mass of Christian burial will be held Aug. 10 at 10 a.m. at St. Benedict the Abbott Church – St. John XXIII Parish, in McMurray.