Robert E. Hartley, June Jam co-founder
Robert (Bob) E. Hartley passed away peacefully, Sunday, April 14, 2024. He was born April 20, 1955, in Philadelphia, Pa.
Bob’s parents relocated the family to Dover in 1964. Bob was an athlete in school, lettering in wrestling and football, where his leadership skills led him to become captain of the football team. Bob was the oldest of five siblings who will deeply miss him. He had countless friends and was the center of many huge gatherings, starting with get-togethers he threw in high school and continuing with large celebrations he organized throughout his life. He attended University of Delaware and became a union electrician working alongside his father, Bob Hartley Sr., and brother, Tom Hartley, at the family’s business, Diamond Electric. He most recently was managing partner in a hotel he built with his family, Mainstay Suites in Dover.
Bob focused much of his life on helping others. This manifested itself with a charitable event organized by Bob and friends, celebrated annually, for the past 46 years, the June Jam. In 1978, three friends were electrocuted in an accident, where one died. Bob and friends rallied to help the survivors by holding an outdoor concert. The next year they helped a family who lost everything in a fire. From these events, the annual music festival was born and became one of his greatest passions. Over the last 47 years, he led a throng of hundreds of volunteers, booking artists from across the country, setting up the venue, and attending to the myriad of details to bring about such a large event. The funds raised have been donated to individuals and charities all over Delmarva. Veterans, children, cancer victims, and the homeless are just a few of those helped. Bob and June Jam played a large part in opening Home of the Brave in Milford for homeless veterans and Peachtree Acres, a brain Injury facility in Harbeson. Bob loved to help others, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the musicians and artists, befriending many. This musical event also produced many special moments in Bob’s life such as when singer Donnie Van Zant finished performing at the annual event, pulled Bob aside, and said, “You folks may not realize it, but you have your own little slice of heaven right here.” He wanted to create that for everyone and help as many people along the way as he could.
Bob is survived by his longtime partner, Brenda Carter; his niece whom he loved like a daughter, Katheryn Hartley; and his four siblings, Mary (Tom) Stenson, Tom (Marci) Hartley, Liz (Bo) Dunn and Ann (Ken) Baker. He also very much adored his nieces, Cameron Hartley, Cassidy Baker, Brittany Baker, Kaitlin Stenson, Brittany Kelly and Holly Dunn; and his nephews, Wilson Hartley, TJ Hartley, Christopher Stenson and Chris Dunn; great-nieces, Kaleigh Kelly, Emma and Kate Nicholson; and -nephew, Colin Kelly. He also had a wealth of cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends, all of whom he was very fond of, and who will all miss him dearly.
He was predeceased by his loving parents, Robert W. Hartley and Mary “Dee” Hartley.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, and from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, Thursday, April 25, at Calvary Church, 1141 E. Lebanon Road, Dover. Services will be held immediately following at 1:30 p.m., at the church. Interment will be at Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 25, at Loblolly Acres, 3893 Turkey Point Road, Viola.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to June Jam, P.O. Box 287, Woodside, DE 19980.
Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at torbertfuneral.com.
