Harold Altman, Sr.
Harold Arthur Altman, Sr., 87, of Ford City, died Wednesday, June 26, 2013, in ACMH Hospital.
Born January 15, 1926, in Girty, he was the son of the late Arthur Milton and Florence Ethel (Ramer) Altman.
He graduated from Elderton High School and Duff’s Business Institute in Pittsburgh. A veteran of the United States Navy, he proudly served his country during World War II.
In 1950, he and his wife, Martha, established Altman’s Dry Cleaners in Ford City, and operated it until 1976. He developed two second-home housing developments along Crooked Creek, one in 1959, and one in 1969. In 1969, he received his real estate sales license and became the broker of record for the Willis Heilman Agency. He became a well-known real estate entrepreneur, and, in 1979, the Willis Heilman Agency became the Altman Real Estate Agency, Inc., for which he worked full time until his retirement at age 85. Aside from his work at the agency, he also owned Altman Mini Storage, with 3 complexes in the area. Mr. Altman became a Certified Residential Appraiser in 1991, and was a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, and the Greater Allegheny Kiski Area Board of Realtors.
Mr. Altman was a member and Elder of Grace Presbyterian Church, Kittanning. For 20 years, he served as a Board Director for Elderton State Bank, and then served as its President for 10 years. He was also a member of the Ford City Lions (President from 1962-63) and of the Armstrong County Chamber of Commerce.
He was a lifelong boater, and owned many standardbred racing horses. Because of his passion for horses, he was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association and was a member of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Martha Olive (Clark) Altman, whom he married October 8, 1948; three sons, Dr. Harold A. “Hal” Altman, Jr., and his wife, Stephanie, of Kittanning; Gary Lynn Altman, and his wife, Robin, of North Buffalo Township; and Marty Clark Altman, and his partner, Mark Stewart, of Alameda, CA. He was a doting grandfather of four grandchildren, Sarah Emily Altman Siavashi, and her husband, Ali; Brian Nelson Altman, and his wife Kari (Henderson); Alison Mae Altman Shahravar, and her husband, Amir; and Eric Gary Altman, and his fiancee, Tiffany Mae Lange. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Alexander Clark Altman and Evan Robert Altman; and multiple nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Genevieve Altman Storey and Meredith Altman Blystone.
Friends will be welcomed from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., on Monday, July 1, 2013, in the Welch Funeral Home in Ford City. Additional visitation will be held from 10 a.m., until the time of services at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, in Grace Presbyterian Church, 150 North Jefferson Street, Kittanning, with his pastor, Rev. Dana Wilmot, officiating. Interment will follow in Lawn Haven Burial Estates. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church, Kittanning.
To send an online condolence to his family, please visit www.welchfh.com.