Harold Harris Bateman

Hal (Buddy) Bateman was the third child and only son of Dr. George Monroe Bateman and Mrs. Florence Harris Bateman of Tempe, Arizona. He had a happy childhood living in a house his father had built surrounded by fruit trees on what is now the baseball field at Arizona State University with his two older sisters, Georgia and Flora Mae.

During the summers Hal and his family would go to the Harris family ranch,

H bar H in Eight Mile Canyon, Idaho. That’s where Hal developed his love of horseback riding. He also worked on the ranch, herding cattle and bailing hay. These summers were some of the happiest times of Hal’s life.

Hal enjoyed Scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout. He loved learning, swimming, hiking, dancing, singing and sports. He was one of the few people to letter in all four sports (baseball, basketball, football and track) at Tempe Union High School. He was an Arizona Champion runner, winning first place in the mile and earning him an athletic scholarship to the University of Utah where he began his college education. He continued running and hiking throughout most of his life, hiking the Chumash Trail to Machu Pichu in his sixties.

After a few years in Utah Hal returned to Arizona State University to finish his BS degree and then on to Brigham Young University for his MA in business administration. It was there he met and married his first wife, Geraldine Harris Bateman. They set up housekeeping in Arizona near the University where Hal began working, following in his father’s footsteps. While working at ASU Hal found it convenient to attend graduate classes and earned his Doctorate in Education. It wasn’t long before Hal and Geri had a daughter, Jennifer Ann and a son, Nathan Harold.

Shortly after Nathan was born, Hal accepted a job in California for The Rancho Santiago Community College District as the Dean of Admissions and Records. He worked in Santa Ana for the rest of his career. Hal’s daughter Amy Louise and son Bret Harris were born during this time.

One of the hiking groups Hal belonged to was The Sierra Club. They walked, hiked and ran through the hills of Turtle Rock, Irvine whenever weather permitted. On one of his walks, Hal met Judith Carver Gettys, who eventually became his second wife, bringing her children Sean-Michael Gettys and Amy Lauren Gettys into Hal’s life. During their marriage Judy and Hal took many trips to various corners of the world. They also took their 6 children and 12 grandchildren to Hawaii and had many family parties. Jennifer married Bishop Kendell Arrowchis and Nathan married Stacie Carroll. Hal and Judy’s 20 years together were a blessing.

In 2016 Hal was unfortunately diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a progressive neurological disease(PSP) for which there is no known treatment or cure. He fought valiantly against its debilitating effects until his death September 30, 2022. If you are so inclined, we would greatly appreciate donations to PSP.org

Hal will be very missed by his family and friends. His sister Georgia with her husband, Lehi Smith, mourn his loss as do their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.