Alex Hartman Shone So Bright, So Young, Gone Too Soon

Sunday 6th October 2019

At 10:42am today I received a text message from my dear friend Craig asking if I knew Alex had died.

I was gobsmacked.

Shocked.

In disbelief.

WTF?????!!!

I rang Craig immediately and discovered he had just found out before contacting me and we both cried over the phone about the loss of our dear friend Alex, I was overcome with grief and wailing, “It can’t be true! I don’t believe it!!”

When we both caught our breath, we started reminiscing about Alex, remembering little snippets of our crazy days working together, as well as our fun, laughter and good times through several I.T. start-ups in Mosman, St Leonards, London and San Francisco.

Alex shone so bright, so young, gone too soon

I was introduced to Alex Hartman on 4th June 1998, a month before he turned 18, by Craig.

The conversation went something like this:

“I’ve been working with a young whiz kid, and he’s just received funding to start a company. So far there’s just the two of us, and he asked me who we should hire next;  I told him we need  you.  OK?”

Of course I was intrigued and wanted to know much, much more so I said something like, “Hell yes! I’m in!”

If Craig thought I should join them, it definitely had to happen :D

And so began an amazing five years, from mid-1998 until mid-2003 (was it really only 5 years?!) where we started Amicus in Mosman (Sydney), then Mytek (first mobile computer  support company in Australia), Indicum (with David Stokes-McKeon, a former senior executive with Telstra) etc. We also opened offices in several locations in Sydney, as well as London and San Francisco, and worked together 7 days a week to make Alex’s dreams come true.

Through my contacts in the telecommunications industry in Australia (I was part of the Start-Up Team when Optus was launched), I was able to introduce Alex to several key personnel in the USA – John Prophitt of BellSouth and Scott Goldman of WAP.

And now he’s gone, too soon, and will never be forgotten by those who loved him and those whose lives he touched with his kindness and open heart.

Alexander James Xavier Hartman

Nickname: Harts

His best friend contacted me to let me know that the family had advised that he had died in his sleep 29th Sept 2019, in Geneva.

Aged 39 years, married to Domitille (in Sydney and again in Paris), children Félix (aged 3) and Céleste (aged 1), living in Geneva at the time of his passing.

God speed Ali, a new adventure awaits you over the Rainbow Bridge.

Teens xox

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Timeline highlights

• 1980 3rd July – Alexander James Xavier Hartman born
• 1993 – 13 year old Alex helped a customer in a local computer store whilst he was in there browsing, and was offered a part-time after-school job; he became the store’s leading salesperson
• 1994 – the Internet was emerging, Alex Hartman realised that increasing numbers of customers were having difficulties with getting connected so he designed a simpler, easier to use, Internet starter kit. Within months he and 2 friends had developed a starter kit with a graphical interface that became a hot seller. At 14, he already had his first commercial product.
• About 6 months later Netscape launched in the US, using a similar, superior App backed by top-level marketing – a competitor to Alex’s product but in the US.
• 1998 – Teena met Alex, became the 3rd member of the Team (Alex, Craig & Teena)

 

 

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Some of my life with Alex …

Teena Hughes, Operations Manager (24/7) of Amicus and Mytek (plus a couple of other companies), Alex Hartman companies 1998 – 2003.

In 2001, Alex (aged 21) and I were at the Young Australian of the Year Awards.

Several months earlier I was honoured when Alex asked me if could create the Application for him (he had applied several times previously but his Applications had not been successful).

I relished the task and did all my research to create the document to submit to the Committee. Through this I learned more about this remarkable young man, and realised he was no average 18 year old. He was wise beyond his years, was intelligent, humble and smart.

I was thrilled to bits and oh so proud of him when he was announced as the Winner of the Young Australian of the Year Award for Career Achievement in 2001!!

I am proud to have been Alex’s friend and to have been part of his life from 18 years of age to 39.

We were in touch just a week or so before his death, and the memories of our long friendship will stay with me forever.

My heart goes out to his wife Domi and children, family and friends around the world. xxxxx

You’ve left a hole in my heart Ali, you are sorely missed by so many around the globe and will never be forgotten.

Teens xoxoxox

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Never Forgotten …

 

6 October 2023 – Four years ago today you took the journey across the Rainbow Bridge and you pop into my head quite often with memories, things you said and did, leaving a rich tapestry of snippets of life to be remembered for years to come. I miss you Ali! 💕 Hope Domi and the kids are doing well 💕 PS Can it really be 20 years since we worked together? Surely not :-) I’m ever so glad we were in touch just before your Rainbow Bridge adventure xx

3 July 2023 – Today’s your 43rd birthday, Al! I do so wish you were here to celebrate with all of us. You’re missed by so many, and it’s lovely when people get in touch with me to remember having you in our lives xxxxx

3 July 2022 – 42nd birthday – I’ve been looking at photos of us with Doyley, and reminiscing. :D You’ve been on my mind and in my thoughts so much this week … Happy Birthday Ali!

29 September 2021 – Two years have passed since you crossed the Rainbow Bridge Ali – you and your words pop into my head when I least expect it :-) xxx

3 July 2021 – Alex, gorgeous friend, wish you were here for your 41st birthday xoxox

3 July 2020 – Happy Birthday Alex! I’ve been thinking about you for days! xxxxx