Thomas Peter Hartsig, 96, of Longview Wash., died Saturday, July 22, 2023 peacefully in his sleep at Holly Care Homes. He was born May 9, 1927, in Ann Arbor to the family of Otto and Theresa (McGuire) Hartsig. He married Mary Jane Morgan in 1954.
Tom had a full life with many accomplishments. He spent most of his life as a Michigan resident, graduating from Fraser High School in 1945. He earned his bachelor degree from Eastern Michigan University and his masters from the University of Michigan. Tom then taught math at Bentley High School in Livonia for two years before joining the U.S. Air Force becoming a pilot, earning his ‘wings’ in a T-6 Texan, then flying Lockheed F-94 all-weather interceptor jets. After leaving the service Tom was married to Mary Jane Morgan in 1954 and went back into teaching in Livonia. He taught calculus at Michigan State University briefly because the university noticed how well his former students did in math and invited him to teach. While raising their young family, summers were spent at their cottage on Green Lake in Interlochen, creating lifelong happy memories for the whole family.
Tom helped introduce computers into education by being the Director of Computer Based Education for Macomb County. He also started his own software company in the early 1980s that created instructional software programs to teach children math on one of the first personal computers, a Texas Instruments 99/4A. His efforts to incorporate computers into education and improve learning opportunities for children were recognized by the State of Michigan with Senate Resolution No. 559. While in his later years he wrote a detailed paper on how this evolving technology would greatly enhance the learning of younger children in our society.
With all his accomplishments, Tom was most proud of his family and greatly enjoyed the time spent with them. He was a prolific reader, enjoyed golfing, hiking, photography, traveling and recreational flying with his son Morgan.
Tom is survived by three sons, Morgan (Christine) Hartsig of Romeo, Bradley (Elizabeth) Hartsig of Longview, Wash., Kurt (Therese) Hartsig of Wenatchee, Wash.; daughter, Kathy (Joseph) Eberle of Honor; daughter-in-law, Linda Hartsig, of Tucson Ariz.; siblings, Rosemary Pietsch of Florida and John (Cindy) of Howell; sisters-in-law, Jane Hartsig, of Novi and Micky Hartsig, of New Baltimore; eleven grandchildren; ten precious great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane (Morgan) Hartsig in 1997; two sons, Tommy Hartsig as an infant, and Mike Hartsig in 2021; and five of his brothers, Joe, Larry, Richard, James and William.
He will be buried beside his wife at the Romeo Cemetery.
