09 03 13 sam hartzell

Character, Integrity, and Dealing with Adversity Over the weekend we lost a really good friend to education in the passing of Samuel (Sam) Hartzell. Sam was a long-time educator in the Norwalk School System and spent many years supporting community efforts. Upon his retirement after forty years of teaching, he continued to provide support for the adult education program by assisting students in obtaining their GED. Sam was one-of-a-kind and will be sorely missed by those touched by his words, example and presence.

Sam fought cancer courageously for the past few years. Throughout his battle he continued to support others. He was very active with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Friends of the Norwalk Library, the Norwalk Lions Club, and also gave tours at the Marblehead Lighthouse.

One of Sam’s former students and current board member, John Lendrum, reflected about the passing of one of his favorite teachers. “Sam taught me there were consequences for not doing school work and that learning could be fun with current events being a catalyst to make us think. Sam was a great person who gave much to the community.”

I met Sam Hartzell many years ago at a community event in Norwalk and he immediately impressed me as a teacher who really cared about his students. I was further impressed by him as he faced his illness with a steadfast determination. He was determined to do his job as a GED test coordinator in spite of his illness and difficulty.

I always felt that Sam was a man of great integrity and character. Certainly those two attributes are an “inside job” and aren’t readily seen unless an individual faces adversity or difficulty. In his illness, you were able to see his priorities. His circumstances and reaction to them reflected who he really was.

Sam’s integrity and character were deeply embedded into who his was and his illness only heightened other people’s awareness of who he was.

If you know what you stand for and act accordingly, people will have confidence in you. If you are a model of character and consistency, other people will admire and want to emulate you. It will make the difference in all your relationships with others. Dealing with adversity effectively demonstrates to others what you are about. Sam Hartzell was a man of great character and integrity who really cared about the children he taught. We sometimes need to stop and reflect on the life of a person who really cared and made a difference. To the Sam Hartzell family, thank you for sharing this great man with many students and community members for many years.