Howard C. Hartsfield, a retired Baltimore City education official, died Saturday at Northwest Hospital Center after being stricken with a heart attack while attending a Christmas party. He was 68.
He retired last year as assistant superintendent of schools for logistical support services. He had started his career 20 years before as assistant superintendent for business management. During retirement, he was a consultant to the school system.
"During his tenure, he put together a highly efficient organization, serving the schools in procurement, transportation, mail delivery, equipment repair and food services. . . ," said Lewis Richardson, retired assistant superintendent of schools.
"An annual appreciation day program to honor the logistical support personnel for their services rendered to the students of Baltimore City was a hallmark of his administration."
Mr. Hartsfield was described by Dr. Richardson as being "a very sensitive person even though he wanted people to think he was tough. However, his first consideration was always the children when working for the school system. I can say without reservation he was a good leader."
Larry Gibson, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law and confidante of Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, said, "He was a good man. He was an administrator par excellence and he was the person that superintendent after superintendent relied upon to get things done. If there was a big special project that had to be done, they turned to Hartsfield."
Known as "Ace," Mr. Hartsfield was described by Mr. Gibson as "physically impressive" and "a big man with a big heart."
Before joining the city schools, Mr. Hartsfield, a highly decorated military officer, retired in 1972 as an Army lieutenant colonel. His last assignment was as post commander of Fort Holabird.
In a military career that included a tour of duty in Korea and two in Vietnam with the 11th Infantry, his decorations included the Soldier's Medal for Heroism, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Combat Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, three Bronze Stars and five Air Medals.
He was born and reared in Chicago and attended Nevada University before he transferred to Morgan State University, where he played football and earned his bachelor's degree in 1953.
Some of his many memberships in civic and community activities included serving on the boards of the Lafayette Square Community Center and the Catholic Archdiocesan Board of Finance, and as a member of the city Commission on the Impact of Military Spending.
He received many honors for his work in the city school system, including the presidential citation of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the State of Maryland Distinguished Citizen Award and the Morgan State University Foundation's Outstanding Alumnus.
A resident of Mount Washington, he also maintained a residence in Philadelphia to which he commuted on weekends. "He loved both Baltimore and Philadelphia," Mr. Gibson said.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered a noon tomorrow at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Madeleine Sophie, 6440 Greene St., Philadelphia. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Morgan State University Christian Center, Hillen Road and Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, the former Millicent Thomas; four sons, James Hartsfield and Reese Hartsfield, both of Chicago, and Mark Hartsfield and Eric Hartsfield, both of Philadelphia; and six grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hartsfield Endowment Scholarship Fund, Morgan State University Foundation, Truth Hall, Room 201, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore 21239.