Brian W. Hartline
OBITUARY
Brian W. Hartline, 67 of Reading Pa. passed away on September 1st, 2025 at his residence at 835 Franklin Street. Brian was predeceased by his brother Kerry and his mother Mildred. He had vocational training at Exeter High School and was employed at Eastern Foundry in Boyertown. He also had been employed at the Berks County Intermediate Unit. In childhood, Brian developed a love of fossils, dinosaurs, rocks, minerals, astronomy and anything science related. He carried this passion throughout his life. In his adulthood, he became a freelance paleontologist and one of the top paleontological field workers and fossil collectors in Pennsylvania. His keen eye and skill with a hammer in the field were unmatched. Together with his friend Michael Szajna, he discovered dozens of new fossil localities and was a co-author with some of the top paleontologists in the world on many scientific papers that were published in scholarly journals and book volumes. His main contributions were in the field of Triassic paleontology. Brian was an excellent photographer and a fine artist with several of his photos and drawings appearing in those aforementioned publications. Brian was part of a team that donated hundreds of paleontological specimens to museums and universities including many dinosaur footprints. He was a former Research Associate of the Reading Public Museum and had current status as a Field Associate for the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Brian was a fine athlete who developed into an excellent golfer. He was a fan of all the Philadelphia sports teams. Brian had a witty sense of humor along with a kind heart. He will be missed by his many friends, relatives and his father Robert E. Hartline of Exeter Township.