Herman C. Hartzel

herman hartzel
Herman passed away at his home on Friday, April 9, 2010. Herman was born on March 28, 1921, in Mrs. Pratt's Private Hospital, one of Inglewood's Earliest Maternity Homes. Herman graduated in 1938 from Inglewood High School. His passion in life was photography. Herman opened his first studio in April 1955 on La Brea. Moving the studio in May of 1971 to Centinela Ave in Inglewood where it remains to this day. Herman's photos captured many historical events as well as at least 7, 000 weddings. Herman received many awards for his outstanding photographic works. The Conference of California Historical Societies bestowed the Individual award of Merit for his contributions of photography to the cause of Historic preservation. The Historical Society of Centinela Valley awarded Herman an honorary life membership in 1986, lauding him for his skill in copying and restoring badly faded old prints and tintypes. Herman lost his loving wife Eloise in December 2007. They were married for 64 wonderful years. Herman is survived by his daughter Carol (Walter) Lowry and his son Karl Hartzel. A gathering of friends and family with visitation will be held on Monday, April 19th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCormick Mortuary located at 635 So. Prairie Avenue Inglewood, CA. Graveside Services will be held at Inglewood Park Cemetery located at 720 E. Florence Avenue, Inglewood CA, on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dear Carol and Karl, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your dad was an important part of my life and a true artist. Love, Terrie

  2. Carol and Karl, I saw the obituary in the Daily Breeze and felt compelled to write. Having grow up with you both in Inglewood I feel we will always have a bond. I want you to know how very sorry I am for your loss. Hold your memories dear and help each other though this time of sorrow. Please know that you have friends. If I can be or any help to either of you please don’t hesitate to call on me. Take good care, Mary Chrsity

  3. The year was 1970, and two young senior friends from Lennox High School chose Hartzel Photography to shoot their Senior photos …What a nice person the photographer was…and so much patience!! We had the best looking pictures out of the whole graduating class!! Thank you, Mr. Hartzel…God Bless! Cathy M. (Class of 1970)

  4. I was a client of your father’s. He restored several old photographs for me. Besides being very skilled and providing a great product, he was also very kind and took a real interest in my family and my photographs. It was a pleasure to do business with him. My sincere condolences.

  5. I learned about Herman’s passing by my sister Mary (Sweeney)LaRue from Torrance. My parents were Leo Sweeney & Mary Ellen Hartzell. She would have been his cousin? Her brother was WIlliam R. Hartzell. He was the fire chief of Hawthorne for several years. I can remember Herman when I was little. I know I met him. My mon’s parents were Mary Ellen McElliot & William Hartzell. I really don’t know much about my Grandfather (William) or his family. He died in the late 1920’s or 30’s. I wish we would have stayed in touch with Herman to learn more about the family. I’m so sorry for your loss. He will be in my prayers. Diana M. Sweeney

  6. Our love and prayers to Herman’s family. My life has been blessed from knowing and learning from Herm. Donovon

  7. Our most sincere condolences. Elayne Alexander and I would often visit “Mr. Hartzell” who was a genius at restoring old historic photos (Elayne’s were of Venice, CA and mine were for the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Assn.). In time all of us became fast friends. What a wonderful, wonderful kind man. We both feel blessed to have known him. Both of us made sure he was in acknowledgments of what we published – his outstanding work aided our publications. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family. Herman was a gem! He and I would sometimes talk about history and life for an hour at a time. God rest his good soul. Arthur and Marianne Verge


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