Ray Hartman St Louis MO Obituary, Death: Ray Hartmann, a prominent journalist and longtime media figure in St. Louis, has died at the age of 73 following a traffic accident on Interstate 64, west of Interstate 270. Authorities said he was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital St. Louis after the incident on Thursday afternoon.
Hartmann was widely recognized for his decades-long presence on the Nine PBS program Donnybrook, where he became a familiar voice over 37 years. Known for his sharp wit and strong opinions, he was a central figure on the panel show, engaging viewers with lively discussions on local issues alongside fellow journalists.
He also made a significant impact in print media as the founder of the Riverfront Times, an alternative newspaper that became a key publication in the region. Hartmann remained a contributor until selling the paper in 1998. Over the course of his career, he also worked in radio with KTRS and served as a speechwriter for former Missouri governor Christopher “Kit” Bond.
In 2002, Hartmann acquired St. Louis Magazine, overseeing its operations until its sale in 2018. His contributions to journalism earned him multiple honors, including induction into the St. Louis Print Media Hall of Fame, recognition as Media Person of the Year by the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis, and two Horace Mann Awards from the Missouri National Education Association for his work in public education journalism.
A graduate of Parkway Central High School and the University of Missouri-Columbia, Hartmann is survived by his wife, Kerri, and their two college-aged children.