Special Tribute: Jerry Hart, Class of 1969

LTC (Ret) Gerard Joseph Hart, 59, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 18, 2010 after a long and valiant battle with lymphoma and pancreatic cancer. Born in Jersey City, NJ, on Jan. 21, 1951, Jerry also lived in Bayonne and Metuchen before becoming a seventh-grade boarding student at Peddie. An avid runner, state cross country champion, and record holder in the mile, Jerry graduated from Peddie in 1969, and that summer headed on his motorcycle to Woodstock. Jerry continued his academic career at the University of Virginia, where he was a Division I runner in cross country and steeple chase. Graduating with a BA degree in English, Jerry began his 20-year active duty career in the U.S. Army, earning two master’s degrees in aeronautical science and management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Jerry helped establish the Sports Hall of Fame and coordinated the building of the Peddie track. He was a teacher in whatever he did, and aside from his family his greatest loves were running and his cross country team. Twice named “Mercer County Coach of the Year,” Jerry planned workouts, organized meets with precision and ran with his teams until he was no longer able. He was always positive and encouraging, urging athletes to perform their best, never chiding when a goal was missed. He will always be known for his yearly “Tour de Hightstown” runs with the team, during which he shared historical highlights as they covered the miles. Jerry’s greatest mentors as a student were Mr. Bob “Bullet” Lawson, his beloved cross country coach and father figure, who taught him the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and Mr. Dietrich von Schwerdtner, a technology guru and coach who always said, “It’s
supposed to be about the kids, isn’t it?” Jerry often mentioned these two men as the greatest influences in his life, and carried their lessons with him always. Ala viva!

Jerry also leaves behind the hundreds of student athletes and young soldiers he had the privilege of working with during his careers. An avid bicyclist and Harley rider, Jerry loved this saying attributed to Harley Davidson: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, ‘WOO HOO … What a ride!!'” For Jerry, that says it all.

At the spring MAPL track and field championships this year, Jerry was honored when the league named the 3200m event the “Jerry Hart 3200m.”