We celebrate the life of Devon Hartman


We celebrate the life of Devon Hartman

By   |  Mar. 12, 2024

We join with many others to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Devon Hartman. 

Devon was a trusted advisor who served on the Pando Populus Board of Directors for many years.  He is surely best known in the Pando community as the founding head of CHERP, the Community Home Energy Retrofit Project based in Pomona that is distinguished as the first non-profit solar panel production facility in the country. 

We remember Devon as a joyful, inspiring, and amazing human being and visionary of a more sustainable world. 

Pando board chair John B. Cobb, Jr. comments:

“Technology typically improves the way we do things, and this can be very important, but at least equally important is achieving clarity about goals and knowing how to work with people. Devon Hartman was a leader on all these fronts. No one can replace him. But we can carry on his unique contributions. We can make sure that the great contribution we counted on from him will not be lessened by his death.”

CHERP shared the following announcement upon the occasion of Devon’s passing:

It is with our deepest emotions that the CHERP Leadership Team announces that our beloved CEO and leader, Devon Hartman, passed away on February 18, 2024. Our condolences go out to Devon’s family in this difficult time. Devon was a very unique, special person and any of you who were fortunate enough to know him or work with him, know what a loving, brilliant, peaceful man he was. We will all miss him greatly.

Devon left CHERP in capable hands and we are focused on continuing to deliver his goals and vision for the organization, our partners, and the communities we’ve connected with.

As everyone who has interacted with Devon knows, he had a deep love for people and enjoyed hosting gatherings where people could connect and appreciate each other. In this spirit, we are planning a Celebration of Life for Devon that will be held on March 23rd at 1pm at the CHERP Factory in Pomona. We will be livestreaming it for those who cannot attend in person.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP here by March 12th. 

In lieu of flowers, Devon’s family has requested that donations be made in Devon’s name to CHERP. CHERP represents Devon’s deepest commitment to enhancing our world and improving the lives of those around him. You can make a tax-deductible donation here.

We are helping the family create a book of memories about Devon. If you’d like to submit a story and/or photo, please email it to Megan Anderson (manderson@cherp.net) by March 16th

We look forward to honoring our dear friend, colleague, and family member with you in whatever ways feel meaningful to you. During this overwhelming time for Devon’s family, if you have any questions or thoughts to share, feel free to reach out to Megan at the email above.

To read Devon’s obituary, go here

Members of the Pando writing team include Rich Binell, Alexi Caracotsios, Amy Goldberg, Rebecca Schmitt, and Eugene Shirley.