Memorial Service Set for Educator Peter Hartman

Services for Orange County educator Peter A. Hartman, who died at age 63, are set for Saturday in Mission Viejo.

Hartman, superintendent of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, died Saturday at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, almost a month after emergency surgery to remove a cancerous kidney.

Last year, Hartman and James A. Fleming, superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District, shared honors as state Superintendent of the Year.

It was the first tie in the 29-year history of the award, which is sponsored by the Assn. of California School Administrators.

The funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 26001 Muirlands Blvd., Mission Viejo.

In addition, community members from the Saddleback Valley Unified School District are planning a memorial service Feb. 8. The location and time are pending. Information: (949) 580-3200.

“This school district has always been a family,” said Saddleback acting Supt. William Manahan. “The fact that this kind of a service is being planned for Peter Hartman is indicative of what a strong family it is.”

Hartman is survived by his wife, Sunny, three daughters and a son.

Manahan said the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Peter A. Hartman Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Saddleback Valley Unified District Office, 25631 Diseno Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.