Hartwick Board of Directors Chairman Dr. James Elting Dead at 73

Well known orthopedic surgeon and chairman of the Hartwick College Board of Directors, Dr. James Elting, died of a brief and unexpected illness. He was 73 years old.

Elting had been ill recently and died Friday despite “heroic” efforts by him and his caregivers. Elting had served on the board for more than 20 years and supported the college for almost four decades.

Hartwick’s Elting Gallery was named for Elting and his wife, Karen, in 1990. The fitness center in the Binder center was dedicated to Elting in 1993, and the Eltings received the college’s Outstanding Citizens of the Year Award in 2006.

A memorial service celebrating Elting’s life will be in the Lambros Arena in the Binder Athletic Center at Hartwick at 1 p.m. Saturday.