Dr. Benjamin Jacob Hartman

Hartman, Dr. Benjamin Jacob age 42, surrounded by his loving family, passed away after an eight-year battle with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) on November 19, 2020. He was preceded in death by his beloved role models: Fred Berdass, Sam Hartman, and Uncle Danny Berdass. Benjie is survived by his parents, Nancy and Bob; brothers, Mike (Jennifer) and Joey (Stefanie); by four adoring nephews and nieces, Fred, Jonah, Sasha and Emmy, and by his wonderful grandmothers, Nana Gogo and Nana Ruth. Benjie was blessed with the most remarkable friends, some of whom were by his side during his final days, including Alex and Audra, Adam, Charlie, Dan, Marci, Mark, Robb, and Spencer. Dr. Brian O'Neill, Dr. Ron Jacobson, Dr. Edward Halperin, and Dr. Katherine Price each played a vital role in Benjie's care and our family is forever grateful. Born and raised in the Twin Cities, as the eldest of three brothers, Benjie's early years were marked with athletic and academic prowess. Benjie was co-captain of 1996 State Champion Blake Bears tennis team and an outstanding student. Upon graduation from Tufts University, Benjie became an investigative journalist before shifting gears to medical journalism, and then to medical school, ultimately obtaining his M.D. from George Washington School of Medicine. Benjie's career trajectory came full circle, as he entered a leadership capacity at BERMO, Inc., a Twin Cities manufacturing company founded by his family several decades ago. Benjie often said he felt very blessed and lucky to have a rich and fortunate life. Benjie was diagnosed with ACC while in medical school, and detailed his extensive "Medical Education" on his patient CaringBridge page. His writings perfectly reflect his character: passion infused with humor, quirky wit, and gratitude. As anyone who followed his journey can attest, Benjie's self-advocacy of his health throughout his battle with ACC was inspirational. Memorials preferred to either the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge (donate3.cancer.org/) or the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/…). A Zoom memorial service will take place at 11:00am CT on Sunday, November 22 (templesholom-ca.zoom.us/j/…)