Captain Robert Theodore “Ted” Hart, Sr. passed away at St. Vincent’s Hospital on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was 81 years old.

Ted was born in Livonia, MI on December 9, 1944 to Robert (“Bob”) and Emily (nee: Ash) Hart. In 1974 he married Alice Rita Gilman.

Ted was a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (BS, ‘66) and Michigan State University (MBA, ‘74). Upon graduation from Rensselaer, he joined the United States Marine Corps in the 8th Engineer Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, serving in Vietnam until his discharge in 1969 with the rank of Captain.

His career was spent in construction management, real estate development and brokerage, specializing in commercial properties. He was dedicated to his family and enjoyed attending his children's many concerts and sporting events. Ted was an outstanding athlete, playing both hockey and football at the collegiate level. He was an avid golfer, recording several holes-in-one and shooting his age multiple times. He was active in non-profit work, serving in leadership roles in Kiwanis and Scouting USA, among other community organizations.

He is survived by his wife, Iris (nee: Tate), of Hot Springs Village, AR; sons Robert, Jr. (Denise McClenathan), of Cincinnati, OH, and Kevin (Alyssa), of Milwaukee, WI; daughter Shannon (CK Siu), of St. Louis, MO; and his grandchildren, Felix Hart and Corrine McClenathan of Cincinnati, OH, Calvin Siu and Emmeline Siu, of St. Louis, MO, and Zoey Hart and Ethan Hart, of Milwaukee, WI.

A memorial service for Ted will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Purath-Strand Funeral Home. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Private inurnment will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers, MI. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in accordance with Ted’s wishes to the following organizations: Albion College (Albion, MI), Michigan State University, The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, The Kiwanis of Hot Springs Village Foundation, and/or The Hot Springs Village Veterans Memorial Foundation.