Harriet Hall Luchtman

Harriet Hall Luchtman was born May 17, 1918 to Dr. William Arthur Hall, Sr. and Hattie Belle Turner Hall. She passed, peacefully, into the hands of God, with family at her side, at IU Methodist Hospital, February 21, 2014, at 11:17pm.

She is survived by her son, W. Dick Luchtman, his wife Margaret Ann Nichols Luchtman, and two granddaughters Ali Elizabeth Luchtman and Hattie Melissa Luchtman. Her husband, Dick, and brother, Dr. William Arthur Hall, Jr., both preceded her in death.

Harriet was born and grew up in Michigan City, Indiana. She attended the old Central School just across the street. She graduated from Isaac C. Elston Senior High School in 1936 then attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri from 1936 to 1939. She returned to manage her father's dental practice in 1939, and remained while her brother completed the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Dr. Hall, Jr. then served as an officer in the U. S. Navy, returning to Michigan City to go into practice with his father.

On May 17, 1944, Harriet Lou Ellen Hall married Dick Luchtman in Michigan City, at her parent's home 320 E. 8th St, in a Presbyterian service. They moved to Chicago where her husband, now US Navy retired, was a Captain for United Airlines. Their only child was born October 2, 1949 in Berwyn, Illinois. Dick left United Airlines due to an ear injury, began working as an engineer, and they returned to Michigan City, for both of their families, in the late 1950s.

With the goal of becoming a teacher, Harriet began classes in 1964 at Purdue North Central, then in the historic Barker Mansion in downtown Michigan City. Taking summer school at Valparaiso University and finishing her degree requirements, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, from Valparaiso, in 1967. She did her Student Teaching at Long Beach school in the spring of 1968 and was hired by Dr. Alma Koza for a position at Edgewood School, immediately. Dr. Koza felt she was such a "natural". She began placing student teachers with Harriet after her first 8 weeks in the profession. She continued her lifelong learning at Indiana University South Bend regional campus, and in 1975 earned a Master of Science in Education. She taught third and fourth grade at Edgewood for 18 years. Many of her students still send cards. She was a member of the National Education Association, the Indiana State Teachers Association, and the Michigan City Education Association. She retired in June of 1984.

A lifelong member of Potawatomi Country Club, she was an avid golfer playing alongside her brother, who won several national amateur championships, her husband, who through marriage became a great golfer and shot his age at 79, and her father who played regularly in the Bob Hope Desert Classic at Palm Springs. She was always proud of the fact that her father had been instrumental in designing the first nine holes of both Long Beach and Potawatomi Country clubs.

A fourth generation Presbyterian, she served several terms as Deacon and was Moderator for two years, a member of the Pauline Moore Circle, she taught Sunday school for many years, and was made an Honorary Life Member of the Presbyterian Women, USA in 1992. She was a long time member and President of the Service League of Michigan City. She was active in the Marsh School PTA, her friend Florence Coffin was Principal, and was elected President. A committed, life member of the service sorority Tri-Kappa, she also served the Memorial (old Doctor's) Hospital Auxiliary as a member, Secretary, and finally their last President before the hospital was sold.

In the early 21st Century, after the death of her husband, she moved to Indianapolis to be close to her Family. American Village Lincoln Lodge provided independence, friends, a safe engaging environment, and closeness to family. After developing serious short term memory loss, Joy's House was a "Gift from God" when she could no longer live alone. Caring, highly skilled people, made each day an "Act of Joy".

A devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, servant, mentor, friend, and grandmother. Giving of herself and her wisdom, quietly and consistently, lovingly. She has been a lasting influence on Ali and Hattie, as well as, cousins Norah and Alice. She made a difference in all she touched, right up to her last day at home. She loved helping dry dishes after dinner, for as long as she could stand, enjoying life and her family. She loved Pizza Night.

We are extremely grateful for God's gift of Harriet and know she has been welcomed Home.