Your Grandparents Knew Ray Hartmann
Look—I'm gonna be real with you. When I saw the news, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Ray Hartmann, a name synonymous with St. Louis journalism for decades, passed away in a car crash at 73. This ain't just some local headline; it's a gut punch to anyone who's paid attention to what makes this city tick. Ray wasn't just a writer or a publisher; he was a voice, a conscience, and often, a pain in the butt that St. Louis absolutely needed.
### A Voice for the Lou
Ray Hartmann wasn't afraid to stir the pot, and that's why people respected him, even when they disagreed. He founded the *Riverfront Times* back in '77, giving St. Louis an alternative voice that was sharp, witty, and deeply ingrained in the city's pulse. Before that, he was shaking things up at *St. Louis Magazine*. This wasn't some fly-by-night operation; Ray built institutions that shaped how we talk about ourselves, from the politics of City Hall to the arts scene in Grand Center. He brought a level of critical thinking and a willingness to challenge the status quo that's rare, especially these days. He was still writing, still contributing, still making us think right up until the end.
* **Journalistic Legacy:** Ray founded the *Riverfront Times*, a vital alternative voice in St. Louis for decades.
* **Community Leader:** Beyond publishing, he was deeply involved in civic life, influencing conversations across the city.
* **Unflinching Honesty:** He was known for his direct, often provocative, takes on local issues, which earned him respect and readership.
His funeral is set for Wednesday at Temple Israel, right there on Alvan D. Rubin Drive, just a stone's throw from where so much of St. Louis's story unfolds. For those of us who grew up here, or who moved here and learned to love this city, Ray Hartmann was a constant. He held a mirror up to St. Louis, showing us our flaws and our strengths, pushing us to be better. That's the Lou — we're still here and we're not leaving, but sometimes, a piece of us goes with those who helped shape us.
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