Oct. 6, 1947 – Feb. 17, 2010


John P. Hurtgen, D.V.M., Ph.D., 62, died suddenly the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. He was the husband of Linda (Greutzmacher) Hurtgen, to whom he was married for 36 years.

John was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Pewaukee, the son of the late Richard C. and Mary Agnes Hurtgen. Raised on a dairy farm, he was active in 4-H and sports during his youth.

He graduated from Catholic Memorial High School in 1965 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota in 1970. In 1972, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. In 1976, he received his Master of Science degree in theriogenology and in 1979 his Doctor of Philosophy in theriogenology – both from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Hurtgen was on the faculties of the University of Minnesota and the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center. In 1983, he moved to New Freedom and subsequently began a private equine ambulatory practice. In 1996, he began Nandi Veterinary Associates LLC, an equine reproduction facility.

John published extensively in reproduction of horses and swine, male and female. He was a diplomat in the American College of Theriogenologists since 1979. He served two terms on the board of directors of the Society for Theriogenology and was the 1996 president of the Society for Theriogenology. He spoke at national and international veterinary conferences.

Dr. Hurtgen was a member of the PVMA, AVMA and AAEP, having served on numerous AAEP committees. He served on the board of directors for the AAEP and on the research advisory committee for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. He was currently on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Harness Horse Association and the Pennsylvania Racing Commission Breeders Fund Advisory Committee. He was also a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, New Freedom and Farmhouse Fraternity and the U.S. Trotting Association.

In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by his daughter, Clare, and her husband Derek and their children, Julia and Tobias "Toby," of Traverse City, Mich.; and daughter Maureen and her husband Saleem and their newborn daughter, Paloma, of Cambridge, Mass. He is also survived by five brothers, Andrew (Jeanne) of Monroe, Ore., Thomas (Nancy) of Hillsborough N.C., James (Kathleen) of Watertown, Leo (Karen) of Elkhorn, Paul (Yvette) of Pewaukee; three sisters, Mary Humphry (David) of Ixonia, Ann Pauli (Allen) of West Bend and Ellen Hurtgen of Pewaukee; and 30 nieces and nephews.

In addition to Dr. Hurtgen’s parents, he was predeceased by his son, Peter E. Hurtgen; sister, Veronica Hurtgen; brother, Peter W. Hurtgen; and nieces, Renee Hurtgen and Jennifer Gruetzmacher.

Viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, at J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, 24 N. Second St., New Freedom, Pa. A funeral liturgy will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom. Following cremation, interment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, New Freedom, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 4075 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511, or at aaep.org; The American College of Theriogenologists, P.O. Box 3066, Montgomery, AL 36103; Farmhouse Fraternity, 1505 Cleveland Ave. N, St. Paul, MN 55108; or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom PA 17349.

J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, 717-235-3857, is serving the family.