Robert E. Hartness was born in Omaha Nebraska July 9, 1922. Bob joined the Fontana Fire District on February 15, 1941 at the age of 18. On Thursday August 18, 1966 Hartness, an engineer, responded to a brush fire in the city of Fontana. Chief William J. Jenka witnessed Bob collapse at the pump panel while pumping the fire. Hartness was taken by Mercy Ambulance to Kaiser Foundation Hospital where resuscitation efforts for more than an hour failed to revive him. Robert E Hartness passed away from a heart attack at the age of 44 and had 19 years on the job. Survivors include his widow, Diana, a son, Robert, and a daughter, Joy.