John Hartwell 55, Ford Director Of Product Design Dies

John Hartnell, Ford Motor Company’s Director of Global Color, Trim and Product Design, died Tuesday from complications relating to a recent bone marrow transplant. He was 55.

“John was the quintessential ‘gentle man,’ ” said Design Vice President J Mays. “He approached life with a sensitivity few others know, and that’s why he was such a strong designer of both interiors and full vehicles. We will miss John – and his dry sense of humor – a great deal.”

Hartnell was appointed to his position on Jan. 1, 1999. Prior to that, he was a design manager in the Advanced Design Studio, where he was responsible for the development of several concept vehicles including the Ford Indigo and Mercury MC4.

Hartnell held several senior design positions in Ford’s Dunton studio in England, where he helped develop numerous Ford models including the RS200, Mondeo, Fiesta, and Puma as well as the Mercury Cougar.

Hartnell joined Ford in 1965 while studying Engineering in Salford, England.

He then studied at the Royal College of Art in London and received a master’s degree in Transportation Design in 1970.

Born in Hastings, England, on Sept. 28, 1946, Hartnell is survived by his wife, Jill, children Clare, Annabel and Guy, and parents Dr. and Mrs. Roy Hartnell, all of England; as well as sister Jenny Hesketh, of Singapore.

Funeral arrangements are pending.