Comments on: In Loving Memory – Rodney John Hartman 25/02/1949 – 18/05/2010

By: liz ceruti

liz ceruti — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:28:01 +0000

Sincere sympathies Justin
“The Clock of life is wound but once,
and no man hath the power to say just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the time, thine own, to live & love & toil with a will,
put no faith in tomorrow,
for the hands may then be still”

may you find peace. xxx

By: David Larsen

David Larsen — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:43:15 +0000

I followed this link from your LinkedIn page and was very moved by this. Wonderful that you were able to connect at that level before he went.

By: My Sabbatical by Justin Hartman

My Sabbatical by Justin Hartman — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 07:00:57 +0000

[...] sabbatical from the events of 2010. Over the last few months it has become clear to me that the loss of my father has had a much bigger impact on my life than I realised. I’ve also had a number of personal [...]

By: Ayodeji

Ayodeji — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:20:44 +0000

Heartfelt greetings. I’m just reading about this and it’s still the most personal and moving experience I have read in a while.

By: Ronald

Ronald — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:43:18 +0000

Incredible piece. My moms dying at the moment so its all the more special to me. Hope you are doing ok a few months later.
Take care.
Ron

By: Mum-z

Mum-z — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:17:04 +0000

I have always found it awkward dealing with people who have gone through the pain of losing someone important in their lives, but the open sincerity of this blog post makes it easier for me to say the following:

You are a great man and I am very sure that your father was very proud of you. I am very sorry for your loss and my love and support go to you and your family. It takes a REAL man to be able to write about his emotions so honestly and in such a beautiful manner.

I have not lost anyone so close to me yet, but when that day comes, I will find real comfort in these words.

By: Ray H

Ray H — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:38:59 +0000

Justin – Thanks for a very brave and honest piece of writing that brings truth and humanity to a difficult set of circumstances. Thinking of you at this time.

By: Eldre Strydom

Eldre Strydom — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:19:31 +0000

Dear Justin

Thank you for the gift of sharing with us. It reminds us of how short and precious life is and how quickly it’s over. Even though I have walked the road with cancer myself, every now and again I also need to be reminded of this.

My dad went in for an operation on Wednesday to remove the cancer in his bladder and I feel blessed and grateful that I will have a little longer with him.

Lots of Love and Strength to you and your family.

By: Karin Wallace

Karin Wallace — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:50:25 +0000

A very moving post Justin, you have my sympathy on the death of your father, thank you for sharing this very difficult time with us. I lost my Mom to cancer many many years ago, i was 27 yrs old, and she was 65 yrs old, its a journey i would not wish on anyone. My thoughts are with you.

By: Monty

Monty — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:04:56 +0000

Great writing. Condolences to you and your family Justin! May your dad rest happily.

By: Robin Binckes

Robin Binckes — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:32:14 +0000

My sincere condolences to you and the family on our sad loss. The world will be a poorer place without your Dad. From what you wrote I can see that you are cast from the same mould as your Dad. He would be very proud of your words. I had the privilege of working with Rodney over some years when being involved in sport through my Public Relations company. I never heard anyone say a bad word about your Father.I think the word “Gentleman” was created for him.
Thoughts with you all.

By: Justin Hartman

Justin Hartman — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:34:30 +0000

Hi Everyone

To say that I’m overwhelmed by your kind words and support to this blog post is an understatement. I never realised that it would touch so many of you and I am eternally grateful for all of your kind words.

In addition, my family and I are blown away by the tributes and kind words that you have all said about my Dad and it is testament to the character of this great man.

Please forgive me for not thanking each one of you individually but there’s just too many of you to thank and time is not on my side at the moment.

With thanks
Justin

By: David Bullard

David Bullard — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:26:30 +0000

I knew your Dad at the Sunday Times Justin and teased him when he bought that Renault Scenic. He was a generous spirited man and I’m so pleased you managed to spend some time with him at the end. The tributes on this page and elsewhere should make you a very proud son.

By: Tertia

Tertia — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:02:31 +0000

Justin, I am so sorry to read of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

What a beautifully written tribute to your dad.

By: Emil

Emil — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:25:55 +0000

Hi Justin

As someone who has also lost his father to cancer, my thoughts are with and the family.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:36:25 +0000

I was reduced to tears as I read through this.

My thoughts are also with you, I hope you stay strong and live your life to the fullest in his honour.

By: Hendrik

Hendrik — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:55:46 +0000

Hi Justin

My thoughts are with you and the entire Hartman family during this difficult time.

By: BlindCripple

BlindCripple — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:15:01 +0000

Your relationship with your father reminds me of the one I have with mine. I’m not sure why, but they seem so similar. In saying this, I understand what it meant for you to be able to write the latter to him, and more importantly see him.

This post is beautiful. It’s left deep feelings of sorrow and melancholy. But beautiful and pensive, and left me feeling the same way.

As I’ve said last night, my thoughts are with you and your family during this time. Sending love and strength for you and yours.

By: Marc

Marc — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:17:22 +0000

Justin, thank you for this post. I too lost my dad about 4 years ago, also to Cancer, and I went through pretty much the same emotions & feelings as you have been through in the last couple of days. I can almost relate this story to the tee.

Seeing that lifeless body for me was one of the hardest things in my life to do, but once I had said my goodbyes, and held his hand 1 last time, I felt a strange sense of peace.

This post opened up a flood of tears this morning, and reminded me how precious our time on this planet is.

Thank you. Thank you.

By: Jan Hennop

Jan Hennop — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:13:31 +0000

Hey Justin,

Just to say how truly sorry I am to hear about your dad. I first met him at the Sunday Times back in the 90′s.
He was a real gentleman who would walk the extra mile for friends and strangers alike.
And with Rodney, there were many friends and few strangers.
I think I speak for many within the journalistic community saying that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

Best regards,

Jan