To the Editor:

I first met Harvey Hartman when he walked up to the float of the Northeast Variety Band as we were getting ready to play in the 4th of July parade in Wyomissing, two years ago.

Harvey was "wearing" his sousaphone and marching with a different band, but he asked Bruce Dengler, who was playing tuba on our float, as to how he could join our band.

Bruce suggested Harvey talk with me.

I got Harvey's name, address and phone number and I called him several days later, inviting him to a practice session.

After the practice, Harvey was a regular sousaphone player with us.

In another year, Harvey was also playing sousaphone with a Dixieland band and a country western band and the Rajah Concert Band, String German Band, and the Boyertown Alumni Band, Pottsgrove Community Band, and the P.O.S.S. of A Oley Camp Band playing several different instruments.

Harvey loved his wife, Cindy, and daughter, Andrea, first, but his love of music was always present in his life.

I sat next to Harvey in several bands and we became good friends and I miss him very much.

Harvey died on Oct. 12, 2012, just two days shy of his 61st birthday.

(See obituary on page A4)

Ken Clauser

South Whitehall