Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, July 22, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, July 22, 2023 


REMEMBRANCE

Robert Hartfield


On July 4, 2023, Robert Hatfield of Sierra 
Madre, California, passed away. He was 
95 years old and passed away peacefully 
surrounded by his loving family. Robert, 
known to many as Bob, was an icon 
in the community as the owner of Arnold’s 
Hardware, the local hardware store, 
known today as Arnold’s Frontier Hardware. 
He would always go the extra mile 
for any customer. 

He was born in Electra, Texas on August 
6, 1927. At the young age of 12 his first 
job was delivering newspapers on his bicycle. 
Before his 18th birthday he joined 
the Merchant Marines, which took him to 
many places around the world. As Helmsman, 
he navigated his ship through the 
Panama Canal. 

After leaving the Merchant Marines he attended 
Trinity University in San Antonio, 
Texas, where he earned his Bachelor of Science 
degree in Chemistry with minors in 
Physics and Mathematics. He then joined 
the U.S. Air Force in January 1951. He was 
trained as a fighter pilot, flying F86 and 
F100 jets. His squadron was the first to 
test the performance of the F100, breaking 
the speed of sound while flying level. Oh, 
the stories he would tell! He was called to 
duty during the Korean War however his 
squadron received word, while en route, 
that the conflict was ceasing and they 
were able to return home. 

In 1956 he met the love of his life, Jean Marie Arnold. After only 7 dates they were married 
on July 8, 1956 in Palos Verdes Estates. They spent their honeymoon driving to Bob’s first 
assignment at Foster Air Force Base in Victoria, Texas, where he started his new job as a 
Technical Representative for North American Aviation. From there they moved to Eglin 
Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where their first child, Susan, was born. A 
year later he was transferred to the headquarters of North American and they lived in Manhattan 
Beach for 2 years, at which time their son, Bobby, was born. 

A year later, Jean’s father, Mr. Arnold, invited his son, Perry Arnold, and Bob to become 
partners in Arnold’s Hardware, at which time they moved to Sierra Madre, where their 
daughter, Jenny, was born. He eventually took over the store in Sierra Madre and was there 
until he retired in 2003. 

He loved serving the community and was a President and past member of the Sierra Madre 
Kiwanis Club. 

Bob started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973 and thereafter he enjoyed 
helping others learn the Bible truths. He loved visiting patients and their families, giving 
comfort and encouragement from the scriptures. For years he went to Arcadia Methodist 
Hospital on a weekly basis, where even the hospital staff looked forward to his welcoming 
smile and kindness. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Hatfield, his children, Robert (Bobby), Susan, Virginia 
(Jenny), their spouses, Diane, Mitch, and Todd, his granddaughter Breanna, and her 
husband Mitch, grandson Nick, his wife Jennifer, and their son Mason. He is preceded in 
death by his parents and five older siblings. 

In lieu of flowers we ask that you give your loved ones a big hug and a kiss.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 29th at 3:00 pm. 

Location: 
Claremont Kingdom Hall 
450 West Claremont St. 
Pasadena, CA 91103 
All are welcome to attend! 

A gathering with refreshments will follow from 5-7:00pm 

Casual Attire Welcome
599 Camillo Rd. 
Sierra Madre, CA


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com