Bellevue lost one of its all-time greats. Former Nebraska State Senator Dr. Paul Hartnett was laid to rest this week following services at St. Mary’s Church. Though pages could be filled outlying his milestones and accomplishments, we have compiled a condensed timeline. If there were ever a discussion on who would be on the ‘Mount Rushmore‘ of Bellevue, Paul Hartnett certainly would be part of the conversation.
Hartnett Timeline
- 1928 – D. Paul Hartnett was born in Hubbard, Nebraska
- 1951 – Marries Marjorie Sheehan
- 1958 – Moves to Bellevue; Begins work as an administrator for Bellevue Public Schools
- 1966 – Begins career as a professor in the education department at Creighton University
- 1968 – Elected to serve on the Bellevue School Board; Re-elected in 1972, 1976, and 1980
- 1984 – Elected for his first term as Nebraska State Senator. Re-elected in 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000
- 1994 – One of Senator Hartnett’s key projects, the expanded Kennedy Freeway opens in Bellevue
- 2004 – Retires after 38 years at Creighton; Does not run for re-election of state senator position
- 2014 – Hwy 34 Bridge opens; Many credit Hartnett as a major influence in the project
- 2022 – Dr. D. Paul Hartnett is laid to rest
Several city and state leaders shared their thoughts on Hartnett and his impact on the Bellevue community.
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Ben Nelson, Former Nebraska Governor and US Senator
Senator Paul Hartnett will be remembered as an outstanding educator and state senator. But most of all he will be remembered as a friend to all.
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Rusty Hike, Mayor of Bellevue
“Paul” was a great forefather to Bellevue and a mentor to many. You never doubted his intentions because he spent his lifetime making things better in our community and helping take care of our residents that needed assistance. He was a man of vision as well as a man of compassion. Without projects like the Kennedy Freeway and the Hwy 34 bridge which he was instrumental in obtaining, his work in education that shaped our youth, and the love he had for housing needs in the area, Bellevue would not be set for the development that is about to occur. Our foundation is strong and “Paul” is a huge part of that success. The entire city will miss him.
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Jim Ristow, Bellevue City Administrator
Bellevue lost a great leader that always had Bellevue’s best interest in mind. I will miss Paul dearly as he was not only a good advocate for our city but a person that would always make time to advise and counsel on challenges we faced in our community.
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Carol Blood, Nebraska State Senator – District 3
Bellevue would be a very different community had Senator Hartnett not served our community in the Nebraska Legislature. He understood the importance of connectivity to our future economic success. He played important roles in both the Kennedy Expressway and the recent Highway 34 project. He looked at the big picture of policy not worrying about the short term but knowing it was the long-term ideas that would help our community thrive. He and his wife Marge were like peas and carrots and you rarely saw one without the other at community events. They were a lovely couple.
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Don Preister, City Councilman and Former State Senator
Paul Hartnett was a remarkable, highly effective legislator in our Unicameral, for 20 years of dedicated public service. Paul cared deeply about people and our quality of life. As the long-serving chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee, Paul worked himself into that position to improve legislation for Bellevue and all of Nebraska. From acreages to zoning, volunteer firefighters, the Kennedy and Highway 34, he was there leading the way to help others. Paul’s contributions to Education through his 68 years of teaching, administration and elected service to students, inspired countless careers. Both Paul and his wife of 68 years, Marge, dedicated their careers to serving students. They were a model couple doing compassion in action year after year. Their examples are gifts to us all as a legacy that keeps giving.
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Jeff Rippe, Superintendent of Bellevue Public Schools
I was sad to hear the news that Dr. Paul Hartnett had passed away. Paul was a true Champion For Children while he served in the role of educator, school board member, state senator, and Learning Community member. Regardless of his position, Paul would always put students first and worked tirelessly to support both students and staff members. Paul’s outgoing personality and positive demeanor will truly be missed.
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Paul Cook, Bellevue City Council President
Dr. Paul Hartnett was a dedicated public servant, as a Bellevue Public Schools Board Member, and as a Nebraska State Senator, representing the Bellevue-Offutt community. While serving in the Nebraska Legislature, Dr. Hartnett was instrumental in bringing Highway 75 from Omaha to Bellevue. The addition of the Kennedy Freeway has and will continue to benefit the City of Bellevue.
I was very fortunate to meet Dr. Hartnett and his wife, Marge, during my teenage years. They were outstanding individuals and were always active in our church and community. Dr. Hartnett was a man with great integrity and continued to give back to his community even after he was no longer an elected official. Dr. Hartnett’s impact will continue to benefit the City of Bellevue for many years.
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Rita Sanders, Nebraska State Senator – District 45
Paul Hartnett left such an impact on the Nebraska Legislature. His years of public service were valued by his constituents, community leaders, and especially others in the Unicameral that had the pleasure of working with him. He will be missed not only by his community but by leaders across the State of Nebraska.
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