Rick Frank Hartnell

It is with great sadness that the Hartnell family announces the passing of Rick Frank Hartnell, 66, at his home in Clayton, CA.

Rick was born in Lake County, IL on March 11, 1956, to Frank and Donna (Bistrick) Hartnell. Raised in Kenosha, WI, he attended local public schools and graduated from Tremper HS in 1974. He worked at Kohl’s grocery while earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UW-Parkside. His first jobs in accounting were with Camosy Construction, and then Snap-on Tools HQ.

Rick played slow pitch softball, pitching for many teams in league and tournament play, and gaining life-long friends in the process. In 1983, he married Carolyn Lepp. They moved west, making their home in Contra Costa County, CA, where Rick immediately joined several softball teams, continuing to pitch with accuracy and a high arc. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Rick worked for over 30 years as a Controller in the staff consulting industry for Westaff and later M2 Consulting. He concluded his career after serving five years as CFO at Salesian College Preparatory. He loved his job as "Grandpa" best of all.

Rick enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball and basketball, as well as getting out for a round of golf and walks around the Lafayette Reservoir. A big sports fan, Rick rooted for the A’s, Giants, 49ers, Cal Bears, and Golden State Warriors, but never forgot his Chicago Cubs and Bears.

Rick is survived by his wife Carolyn of Clayton, CA; sons, Danny (Emily) of Seattle, WA, and Jason (Jasmin) of Glendora, CA; and grandchildren, Sam, George, Kennedy and Harrison. He is also survived by his brothers Perry and Scott Hartnell of Pleasant Prairie, WI; his mother-in-law Barbara Lepp, sisters-in-law Margaret Milkie and Joanne Lepp-Naiman (Peter), all of greater Milwaukee; and many nieces and nephews. His family, friends, former co-workers and teammates will deeply miss his great smile, competitive spirit and gentle soul.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for May 6, 2023, at Oakmont Cemetery. Lafayette, CA. His family would dearly appreciate shared memories of our husband, father and grandfather. Check for event details at https://www.oakmontmortuary.com/tributes

Please consider charitable donations in Rick’s memory to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, or to the foundation that  directly works to remedy Rick’s genetic heart ailment - The PLN Foundation, a 501(c)3. Checks can be made out to The PLN Foundation and mailed to: PLN Foundation, Dr. Leo Dean Jansen, 2834 Tall Oak Trail, Warsaw IN 46582.

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