Henry Hart III, 65, lawyer

Henry Hart III, 65, of West Mount Airy, a lawyer, father, and public servant, died Saturday, April 18, at his home after a three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

"I am heartbroken, especially as I watch my kids grieve for their Dad," said his wife, Sarah Hart, in an e-mail announcing Mr. Hart's death. "I am consoled by the knowledge that my kids are resilient, and I see so much of Henry in them. I am a lucky woman to have been married to such a good man for almost 31 years."

Mr. Hart was a lawyer who worked for the public, not the private sector. His first job in 1977 was with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. But in 1978 he joined the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where he spent almost two decades as a litigator, teacher, and supervisor.

His supervisor in the D.A.'s office was Jeffrey P. Minehart, now a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge in charge of the court's criminal division.

"Henry always had a great perspective on how to approach a criminal case," Minehart said.

Mr. Hart also worked in the D.A.'s office with Gary Tennis, now the acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

"His intelligence, humor, and just plain skill were beyond reach," Tennis said.

Mr. Hart left the D.A.'s office in 1996 to become chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. In 2001, he moved to the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General, and in 2004 he joined the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office as attorney-in-charge of the Philadelphia Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Outside the office, Mr. Hart was a vigorous man who craved motion. He rode fast bicycles, lifted heavy weights, and drove powerful cars. He followed a strict regimen of daily exercise and healthful eating, even avoiding candy.

So his family was floored to learn three years ago that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS. There is no cure.

In response, Mr. Hart retired early to enjoy life and take trips with his family.

Born in North Adams, Mass., he graduated from Germantown Friends School, Amherst College, and Boston University School of Law.

But it was in Philadelphia that he truly blossomed, his family said.

He enjoyed being a father and an adult fan of his children's sports events.

When son Alex played water polo at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Hart "would be there at any tournament with Gatorade, Tastykakes, and hoagies" for the team, said former academy coach Matt Price.

Besides his wife and son, Mr. Hart is survived by daughters Jackie Vandenbraak Pfeiffenberger and Tessa Hart; another son, Rich Hart; his mother, Ann Hart; two grandchildren; and a sister.

A Quaker meeting for worship is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Germantown Friends Meeting, 47 W. Coulter St., Philadelphia. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to Stratford Friends School, 2 Bishop Hollow Rd., Newtown Square, Pa. 19073, or to the Ellyn Fund, ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Rd., Lower Gwynedd, Pa. 19002.