Johan Herman Gerard Hartman

Physician

Johan Herman Gerard Hartman (Raalte, 28 November 1894 – Arnhem, 23 September 1960) was a general practitioner in Aalten. For many years, he was a trusted physician for many residents and was known for his commitment to the community.

Hartman was born on 28 November 1894, in Raalte as the son of Joan Frederik Christiaan Hartman and Gezina Petronella Schrijver. On 4 May 1920, he married Johanna van Dijk in Heino, who worked as a dentist. The couple settled in Aalten, where they lived with their family at Hogestraat 17. Their home also served as a point of contact with the local community, partly because both spouses worked in healthcare.

Among others, Johan Frederik Christiaan Hartman was born from their marriage on 18 November 1923, in Aalten. He would also later become a physician, indicating that the profession remained within the family.

Work as a General Practitioner

Johan Herman Gerard Hartman served as a general practitioner in Aalten for many years.

Final lesson of the First Aid course. On Friday evening, the final lesson of the first aid course took place in the classroom of the R.-K. Modevakschool. Some of the students gave several demonstrations. It was assumed that someone who had fallen into the water was recovered more dead than alive. Artificial respiration was applied to him, and fortunately, the patient soon regained consciousness. The second accident involved a person who had been run over by a car and was admitted with a broken wrist and a broken leg. This patient was quickly placed on a table, and once an emergency bandage was applied, he could be transported by stretcher to the hospital for further treatment. All this was performed very quickly, and the doctor was also satisfied with the procedure. Afterwards, the chairman of the Aalten’s Belang association, Mr. Jos. Driessen, took the floor and cordially thanked Dr. Hartman on behalf of the board of said association for his willingness to have led this course entirely selflessly. Aalten’s Belang would greatly appreciate it, says the speaker, if the instructor would be willing to give 2 more refresher courses, necessary to form a permanent rescue brigade from the students present here. Dr. Hartman declared himself gladly prepared to do so. Mr. Jos. Driessen further stated that he had heard from various students that they had attended the lessons with great pleasure and is therefore convinced that most will want to participate in the follow-up courses. After the 2 refresher courses, an exam must be taken, and the students who qualify will receive a diploma and insignia. On behalf of the board of Aalten’s Belang, the chairman presented Dr. Hartman with a book. Then Mrs. W. te Gussinklo obtained the floor to express gratitude to Dr. Hartman on behalf of the students, primarily for the pleasant and agreeable manner in which the lessons were given; all were most satisfied with this and appreciated that 4 precious hours were spent on them each week. As a token of appreciation and thanks, the speaker offered a beautiful etching in a fine frame on behalf of all students. Dr. Hartman, taking the floor, thanked Mrs. te Gussinklo and Mr. Jos. Driessen for their kind words; he had absolutely not expected that such cordial words would be spoken to him this evening and that 2 gifts would be presented, which he nevertheless gladly accepted. Dr. Hartman stated that he had always given the lessons with great pleasure; the lesson evenings had flown by, as it were, and it gave him great pleasure that the students followed the lessons with attention and also faithfully. Dr. Hartman also thanked the Reverend Father van Rooijen for the hospitality provided in the building of the Modevakschool, to which the Reverend replied that it was pleasant that Dr. Hartman was thanked this evening, because physicians very often experienced the opposite from patients. He praised Dr. Hartman as a humane physician who is always very concerned for his patients.

In Aalten and the surrounding area, Dr. Hartman enjoyed prestige as a dedicated general practitioner. Local reports from later years remember him as the doctor who helped generations of Aalten residents during important life moments, such as births and daily medical care, and who maintained a long-term bond with his patients. This aligns with the broad role that general practitioners traditionally fulfilled in small communities: their presence was of great importance to the village population, both medically and socially.

Family and Legacy

In addition to his work as a general practitioner, the Hartman family played a prominent role in healthcare in Aalten. His wife was a dentist, and their son Johan Frederik Christiaan Hartman also became a physician—an indication that the profession ran in the family and that the Hartmans made a lasting contribution to care in the region.

Final Years and Passing

Johan Herman Gerard Hartman died in Arnhem on 23 September 1960, aged 65. He was buried at Berkenhove Cemetery in Aalten, where other generations of the Aalten community also found their final resting place.