John Hartl, a Film Critic, Has Passed Away

On June 3rd, The Seattle Times film critic John Hartl passed away. He was a serene and thoughtful writer with an immense appreciation of movies.

Hartl became intrigued by a phenomenon he observed in fruit flies: segregation distortion. This refers to an overrepresentation of certain alleles within populations.

Early Life and Education

John Hartl was an avid moviegoer from his youth. He kept a weekly movie board in Othello, Washington where he posted film reviews, newspaper advertisements and publicity photos for films playing locally.

He had always been passionate about cinema, especially classic Hollywood, sci-fi and horror flicks as well as silent movies. Eventually he joined The Seattle Times where he wrote thousands of reviews.

John was renowned for his kindness and humility throughout his career. Even when disagreeing with other writers’ viewpoints, John never judged or degraded them. Additionally, John was generous in helping those less fortunate; donating brain tissue to the University of Washington for neurological research. Tragically, John will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Professional Career

John Hartl’s career as a film critic spanned nearly four decades. He wrote thousands of reviews for The Seattle Times, an accomplishment few can boast.

His favorite part of the job was researching and writing about films themselves. With an insatiable thirst for all things cinematic, as well as an acute sense of detail, he had a knack for finding even the tiniest details to appreciate.

His work featured a range of techniques, from captivating photo essays to skillfully placed film clips. As an insightful writer, he generously shared his knowledge with readers. For instance, he was one of the first to recognize and promote 3D technology in filmmaking; additionally, when he passed away, he arranged for brain tissue donation for neurological research.

Achievements and Honors

One of the most rewarding parts of my job was being able to watch my brain work and observe what my colleagues are working on at any given moment. This gives me a rare chance to witness cutting edge research and development taking place right in my own backyard – which can be both exciting and exhausting! With that said, it’s also an incentive for me to stay abreast of friends’ and adversaries’ activities as well.

Personal Life

John Hartl was an ardent film enthusiast who grew up in the suburbs of Washington State. To keep himself and his family informed about upcoming movies, he created two bulletin boards in his home: one for family use and another just for himself, listing everything playing at nearby theaters.

In 1963, Hartl transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Madison as an undergraduate. There he discovered a passion for genetics while taking a course with James F. Crow.

Hartl then focused his research on genetic variation in proteins, using protein electrophoresis as a technique. Through this investigation, he discovered that differences in proteins can have an immense effect on health. Furthermore, he was intrigued by transposons–types of RNA responsible for species generation–a type of RNA.