My heart is filled with sorrow.
May you rest in peace retired Chief Hartsfield.
You were one of the BEST!
Retired Battalion Chief, 2nd Battalion
Lived: 01/16/1953 to 04/12/2013
Served: 02/13/1978 to 12/07/2012
When you started a shift with Chief Hartsfield you knew you were going to have interesting and thought provoking conversation.
You knew you would hear a funny story told by a master story teller.
You knew you were going to learn something that day.
You knew you were with a boss that would do everyting possible to keep you safe.
You knew you were loved.
I sincerely hope he realized the impact he has had on me and countless others throughout his life.
Chief, you are deeply missed.
Visitation: Friday, April 19, 2013
James Cole Funeral Home
16100 Schaefer Hwy., Detroit, 48235
9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
1000 Eliot Detroit, MI 48207
In State: 10:00am
Funeral Mass: 11:00am
Chief Hartsfield was as passionate about music as he was about firefighting. He served as Detroit Fire Department Band Director for several years. Click here to read more about the band.
On March 28th 2014 we changed the comment system we were using. Unfortunately it did not import
existing comments. The following are comments posted prior to the change:
Mike Tiger Price on April 24, 2013 at 8:45 AM said:
Richard Allan Xavier Hartsfield was a man whom I admired for many a year. We initially met as young journalists in a five-Detroit Public School program in 1969. Richard graduated from Central High School with honors. His journalism instructor was Mrs. Brinkerhoff. I graduated Mackenzie.
Dr. Steven Chennault led the program and we spent two weeks on campus at the Allan Rumsey House in the North Quad of the University of Michigan. The other schools that were involved were Northeastern, Kettering and Southeastern High Schools.
Richard graduated from Central Michigan University while I attended Eastern Michigan University. We re-met as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity brothers and have shared our stories for more than 40 years.
Brother Richard played several instruments and I saw him play twice, once at the United Negro College Fund Walk-a-than. I never saw a brother so stylish with so much substance. We met for the last time as I shared with him Detroit Tigers lapel pins during the World Series of October 2012.
Brother Richard will be missed. GOD bless the Hartsfield Family. He was a lover of good people and good causes. Richard was an outstanding leader, an achiever and a gentleman. God bless the Heroes of the Detroit Fire Department. Kindest regards, Mr. & Mrs. Mike “Tiger” Price
This comment was left on the page Detroit Fire Department History-Detroit Fire Department Band. It is such a nice tribute to Chief Hartsfield I have shared it here also.
Mike Tiger Price on April 24, 2013 at 8:45 AM said:
Richard Allan Xavier Hartsfield was a man whom I admired for many a year. We initially met as young journalists in a five-Detroit Public School program in 1969. Richard graduated from Central High School with honors. His journalism instructor was Mrs. Brinkerhoff. I graduated Mackenzie.
Dr. Steven Chennault led the program and we spent two weeks on campus at the Allan Rumsey House in the North Quad of the University of Michigan. The other schools that were involved were Northeastern, Kettering and Southeastern High Schools.
Richard graduated from Central Michigan University while I attended Eastern Michigan University. We re-met as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity brothers and have shared our stories for more than 40 years.
Brother Richard played several instruments and I saw him play twice, once at the United Negro College Fund Walk-a-than. I never saw a brother so stylish with so much substance. We met for the last time as I shared with him Detroit Tigers lapel pins during the World Series of October 2012.
Brother Richard will be missed. GOD bless the Hartsfield Family. He was a lover of good people and good causes. Richard was an outstanding leader, an achiever and a gentleman. God bless the Heroes of the Detroit Fire Department. Kindest regards, Mr. & Mrs. Mike “Tiger” Price