John Arthur Bartz

Age 89 of Vadnais Heights, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2024. 

Preceded in death by parents, Frank N. Bartz and Esther M. Bartz (Cardle). 

Survived by life companion/partner of 25+ years, Eunice Hadlich; son, Terry and daughters, Dani (Mark) Bigelbach and Cindy Bartz; grandchildren, Logen, Riley, Brandon (Ryann) and Zach. 

John was a proud alumnus of Washington High School, Hamline University, University of St. Thomas, and the United States Army. He began his career at North St. Paul High School as a business education teacher and a hockey and baseball coach. He served as its Athletic Director for 16 years and as assistant principal at Tartan High School from 1982 to 1985.

He served as an Associate Director of the Minnesota State High School League from 1985 until his retirement in 2001. While there, he directed multiple state tournaments including Boys Hockey, Alpine Skiing, the Football Prep Bowl, and the Girls State Hockey tournament which he helped start in 1994. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing the State Tournaments for Adapted Athletics, serving students with disabilities. This made Minnesota the first state to recognize such programs, and it was one of his proudest accomplishments.

John was an active hockey official throughout Minnesota for decades who officiated in a record eleven state tournaments and was assigned to officiate the championship game seven times. He is a member of the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame, the Hamline University Athletic Hall of Fame, and Mancini’s Sports Hall of Fame.

John should be remembered as a good time who elevated the mood of every room he entered. He was a kind and gentle man who deeply loved his family. John was a passionate traveler, an avid sports fan and invariably claimed to have caught the largest/most fish regardless of the facts. The world is a little less colorful with his passing.