Will H. Hartfeldt ’59

Will H. Hartfeldt ’59 passed away on November 18, 2009. In our 50th reunion book, Will starts with: “Ten years ago a mortality bolt struck…acute cardiac arrest.” He attributes his daughter’s medical career to what she saw in the terrific treatment he received. She spoke at his memorial service about the bonus years the family had, largely thanks to medical technology, a defibrillator that restarted his heart 11 times in 12 years. After three years in the Navy and graduating from University of Chicago Law School, Will joined Citibank’s overseas division, later returning to the Midwest and joining the attorney general’s office in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. He was chief attorney for Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources before opening his own practice focusing on environmental matters. Will was proud of his contributions that led to the passage of the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act. Will’s entrepreneurial flare resulted in forming Phyton Corp., which marketed and sold Phyton27, a plant bactericide and fungicide, around the world. He served as chairman until four months before his death. An English major, Will was rush chairman for Sigma Phi Epsilon, a four-year member of the German Club and worked on The Dartmouth. Will cited “Great Issues” as an important influence on his life. In later years Will spent time gardening and enjoying courses at the local Oescher Lifelong Learning Center through the University of Minnesota. His wife of 45 years, Shawn, daughter Sara and granddaughter Maura, with whom he is pictured in the 50th reunion book, survive him.