Norma Stinnett took on a difficult task this morning when she began to sort through Harry Hart’s employee file at the Emporia school district’s central office.
Stinnett was gathering personal and professional information for an obituary for the former art teacher, who died this morning at Newman Regional Health after a short illness.
Stinnett and Hart worked at the central office, and were friends, for many years after Hart became director of the district’s art program.
Among the usual documents, Stinnett had found a trove of award citations and testimonial letters about Hart’s accomplishments and the ways he’d influenced lives by his talents for art and teaching, and for making the world a little happier place for those around him.
Stinnett discovered a letter that was written in support for one of Hart’s many awards. She thought it epitomized Hart’s role in education.
“When God had a moment to spare from all the problems of this world,” she said, struggling with emotion as she read the words, “He must look down and think, ‘That’s what I had in mind when I created the teacher.’”
Hart’s accolades for teaching were plentiful. He was inducted in the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in 1993 and was a finalist for the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 1995; he was named Kansas Master Teacher in 1975 and received the Golden Apple award for teaching in 1997 from the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, to name a few of his major awards.
“I have a whole stack of files when he was nominated for things, and letters from people,” Stinnett said. “You can’t believe the lives that he touched, not only in Emporia, Kan., but in the state.”
Hart made sure he supported his students in their successes, too, she said, and that included asking for donations to fund their travel expenses. When it was possible, he accompanied them to celebrate their accomplishments.
“When students won national scholastic awards when he was art director, he helped get them to Chicago or Washington, D.C., or wherever, to see that they got their awards” in person, Stinnett said.
Hart was in charge of summer crews that painted and redecorated schools when classes were not in session. He dedicated untold numbers of hours to directing the district’s annual Christmas Pageant and, later, its Seasonal Celebration.
“He was always extremely busy doing things for other people,” Stinnett said. “... We could just call Harry and Harry would do it.”
Linda Jones, secretary for the district’s business department, described Hart as “awesome, compassionate and sensitive.”
“He was dedicated to giving to other people,” Jones said. “We were laughing, I remember, (that) we had mental therapy at the board office. He brought in a bunch of macrame and at lunch and after work we would sit around and make those macrame plant hangers.”
She recalled her daughter’s enthusiasm after one of Hart’s visits as he traveled through the district, introducing art of all genres to the students.
“I remember my daughter coming home saying, ‘Everybody wants to do what Mr. Hart brings.’ He just had a way of involving every student and finding something they wanted to do.”
Hart never failed to make “huge poster-sized” personalized cards to mark birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and babies’ births.
“Whatever, he was just there. He was so unique,” Jones said.
Hart’s office was filled from ceiling to floor with “all of his treasures” and collections of memorabilia, she said, and it was evident that his family was every bit as important to him as his art and sharing his time and talents with others.
“I think he was dedicated to the rearing of his children and having a family life as well as his professional career,” Jones said.
After he retired and became involved as a volunteer at the Newman health complex, Jones walked into the doctors’ office area and recognized that Hart had left his mark there, too.
“I looked up and saw signs, and I knew they were Harry’s. Those were done in his hand, and I knew it,” she said.
Hart’s contributions as a volunteer at Newman brought recognition, too, when he received a five-year award at a “Treasured Volunteers” celebration.
At the Emporia Arts Council, Hart also wielded a paint brush, whether it was making signs or painting rooms; he taught classes at the arts center, helped develop the annual Chalk Fest; and created artwork to exhibit. Often, he donated his work to benefit auctions to raise money for worthy causes throughout Emporia and Lyon County.
Former Arts Council Director Catherine Rickbone described in an earlier Gazette article the extent of Hart’s dedication and donations to the EAC. The story, written in July 2005, recounted Hart’s receiving the “Star Volunteer” award from the arts council.
In addition to making improvements to the arts center gallery, organizing a “Garage-A-Rama” and a “Supper Bowl” fundraiser and making the signs for which he was so well-known, Hart also was instrumental in overseeing the Missoula Children’s Theater Week.
“It is impossible to enumerate every volunteer activity and sharing of his talents that Harry contributes to the EAC,” the article quoted Rickbone as saying. “Without question and with no exaggeration, it adds up to literally thousands of hours.”
He was active, too, in the Westminster Presbyterian Church, now the west campus of the Emporia Presbyterian Church, and helped build a labyrinth on the west campus for his wife Marylin’s Bible study group.
The last time Hart was at the school district’s central office, he was working on a stained-glass window for a church in eastern Lyon County, Stinnett said.
“You can’t say enough good things,” she said of Hart.
Hart focused on stained glass in recent years, and taught workshops on the topic and others at the arts center.
“Band-Aids are probably our most important tool,” Hart said, letting his dry sense of humor show through in a 2006 article about the workshop on working with stained glass.
Stinnett and Jones, too, remembered Hart’s big smile and the lively fun he brought to the workplace.
“He was always into some kind of mischief,” Jones said, “but it was good mischief.”
danf (anonymous) says...
This truly saddened me. I still remember Harry coming out to Village school once a month to give us an art lesson. It was my favorite part of school. Thanks for all you have done Harry. You will be missed!
May 6, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
Mr. Hart was the best teacher I ever had. I got reacquainted with him when I worked at the NTHF building several years ago. He was a positive influence on many many people.
May 6, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Harry, you touched so many lives. It will be so hard to go to church now and not see your smiling face. You always had that gleam of mischief in your eye, too. Your church family grieves for you almost as much as your biological family.
May 6, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
Rest in peace Mr. Hart.
May 6, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outdoorsman25 (anonymous) says...
I still remember Mr. Hart from when I was in grade school at Village and when he taught at the 5th and 6th grade, I always enjoyed his presence very much in class and everywhere else I saw him.
May 6, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Christym (anonymous) says...
Mr. Hart was awesome! I so looked forward to his art classes. I still have the little "magic pebble" he gave all of us at William Allen White. Of all my memories of grade school, the ones of him are remembered most fondly.
May 6, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...
Quite possibly the nicest guy in town. We'll miss you, Harry.
May 6, 2009 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I was never fond of Art classes, but had and have great respect for Mr Hart and his dedicated service to the kids and school systems of the area. Mr Hart was a treasure, as are most all teachers.
May 6, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sundancekid (anonymous) says...
Kindergarten through 5th Grade at Village School. Special projects while at Lowther Middle School and EHS. Yes, I knew this fantastic teacher well. Good-bye Mr. Hart. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
May 6, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
former_emporian (anonymous) says...
My first memory of mr.hart was in 1980, kindergarten, maynard school. I knew him as "mr.art" until the time I went to lowther.
May 6, 2009 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gemini (anonymous) says...
This is so sad. I loved Mr "Art"....I too remember him fondly from my Village School days.
He definitely left a positive mark on this town and will be missed.
May 6, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
82ABN (anonymous) says...
Harry helped everyone in our 1st grade class at Village (1971) make a paper mache globe over a balloon. What a great teacher!
May 6, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I just seen him the last time I took one of the kids to the doctor. I hestitated stopping just say hello and now I wish I had.
I was a Village school student like many of you and had the best memories of him coming with something fun to create.
I too remember the paper mache globe. The pottery we created and the fun we had at holidays. His family should be proud of him. Thank you Mr. Hart for giving us those memories.
May 6, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia4life (anonymous) says...
Mr. Hart will be missed so much. He gave me a love of my own art, when I thought I had no talent. He was a large part of this community and our hearts. RIP Mr. "Art"
May 6, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slh (anonymous) says...
I also remember Mr. Hart from my elementary years at Village School (early '90s). He was a fantastic teacher, person, and role model. To all his friends and family, I'm so sorry for you loss. I'll be thinking of you, and I hope that all these amazing memories of Mr. Hart will comfort your pain. He was a blessing to all who knew him, and he lived what sounds like a very amazing, rich life. He's touched a lot of lives in more ways that can be counted. I believe I speak for everyone when I say that we were blessed to have known him.
May 7, 2009 at 12:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I remember the stunning Nativity tableaus he would produce for the Christmas concerts. The entire audience would become silent and awestruck when they were unveiled.
May 7, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gooseylucy (anonymous) says...
My family & I will really, really miss Harry. He has touched our lives in many ways. Through USD 253, Summer Crew, NRH, NTHoF, Seasonal Celebration and his beautiful Christmas Open House at his own home. Such beautiful decorations and all the Nutcrackers!! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Emporia truly has lost one of it's most valuable treasures. Rest in peace, Harry.
May 7, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jdserrano1 (anonymous) says...
My deepest sympathy to the Hart family.
Mr. Hart was the best art teacher that I have ever known. He inspired and cultivated my love of art. I remember sitting in a hot 1st grade class room at William Allen White anxiously awaiting Mr. Hart to come in wheeling his art cart in front of him. I remember this kid sitting across from me eating the glue that Mr. Hart had stuck in front of us on this little cardboard tray and Mr. Hart telling the kid that glue was for art not for dinner...ahhh...those were the days....I remember how excited we all got when it was art day and what a kick that Mr. Hart rhymed with art so that he must have been made to teach art to us....lol - Rest in Peace Mr. Hart - You will make heaven a very happy, creative place just as you did here on earth. We were truly blessed to have had the pleasure of your gift. Even at a young age, I knew how special you were -
Jessica Serrano-Gregg
S. Meriden, Connecticut
May 7, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smithw (anonymous) says...
I will truly miss Harry Hart. I would not be the art teacher or person I am today without the influence of Mr. Hart and other greats like the late Richard Stauffer, Alan Keck, John Butcher, Jerry Troxell, and a few other amazing art educators in my life. Mr. Hart was more than my elementary art teacher. He was a great friend and a valuable resource for lesson plans and project ideas when I began my teaching career. He was always eager to help me out. He also gave up many days of his life to raise money so we could go to Chicago together to receive my first National Scholastic Art Award. I know that many people will miss him because he was such a great role model and had such a great sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful wife and family. With deepest sympathy,
Wade Smith
9-12 grade Art
West Franklin high School
May 7, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jallanpoe (anonymous) says...
I loved Art class with Mr Hart! I wasn't very good at it but he helped me get better at it! You will be missed!!
May 7, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esu42 (anonymous) says...
He was such a wonderful man and one of my artistic inspirations. I still remember how kind he was and how much everyone at Village looked forward to having him come around.
May 8, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
srochat (Scott Rochat) says...
I was lucky enough to count Harry Hart as a good friend during my time at The Emporia.He was both gifted and patient (especially with nosy reporters!), and rarely without a wisecrack to suit the occasion.
Even though Harry was never formally inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, his presence could be felt in every single class. It was his touch that always showed the Hall off to its best effect every year, and his talent that saw a way to fit it in a newer, smaller home ... and make it beautiful.
As all the honors and accolades continue to come in, I hope the Hall does something special in his name as a memorial. His hand was there for so long; it's only right that his presence should continue. If I know Harry, such a tribute would have made him outwardly embarassed ... and inwardly, very, very pleased.
--Scott Rochat
Longmont, Colo.
May 22, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )