The confirmed bachelor settled down in 2000 at the age of 42. Zachary was born in 2002. Then came Amy in 2004.
He underwent a double-knee replacement in 2006, but recovered well, Beth Hartung said. Dave Hartung was just realizing the benefits of his new knees when the accident happened.
This sort of accident is not uncommon at the U.S. 50/I-97 split, state police told Hartung. Drivers who miss the fork to U.S. 50 often pull off to the I-97 side to try to correct their mistake by cutting across I-97 at a 90-degree angle.
Hartung sought out his family doctor the next day, when he felt weakness in his left side. After more tests, doctors found out the extent of his injuries. He took it easy at home while he awaited surgery Jan. 14. Although he walked into surgery, he was unable to walk out.
Surgeons believe his spinal cord relaxed during surgery to fuse his four damaged vertebrae. They thought the operation was a success until Hartung woke up and couldn't move his legs. One of his vocal cords was paralyzed, which left him unable to drink or eat. Doctors had to perform a tracheotomy to make sure he could breathe.
During his five-month stay at two hospitals, Hartung contracted pneumonia twice and had a pulmonary embolism. He came home May 5 but then returned to the hospital nearly two weeks later with pneumonia and a blood and bladder infection. Home again, he has gradually improved.
Family and friends have struggled to find ways to help. Neighbors installed a wheelchair ramp in the back yard and a metal bar in his home so that he can practice standing. Hartung's mother-in-law watched the kids and cleaned the house. Friends have come to visit, but they wanted to do more, said Pat Ernst, a former chef who befriended Hartung about 20 years ago.
Ernst had discussed doing annual benefits with friend Anna Chaney Willman, owner of Herrington on the Bay Catering. The idea didn't take shape until after Hartung's accident. The two decided to do a chowder cook-off. Twenty restaurants will compete to make the best chowder.
Although only 60 tickets have been sold, Ernst expects a crowd of more than 600 people to buy tickets at the door Sunday.
Restaurants eagerly jumped on board to help the chef who always lent a hand for a good cause, Ernst said. He thinks it will boost Hartung's spirits to see all of his former cooking colleagues.
"I love the idea that everybody is willing to jump in and help one of their own," Ernst said.
Hartung has tried to maintain a good attitude, although he acknowledges bad days. He said he misses cooking.
"I could be bitter, angry or upset all the time, but that's not going to do anybody any good," he said.
Besides, the accident finally has gotten him to make changes that his doctors had been nagging him about for years: quit smoking, lose 30 pounds and start exercising.
Hartung uses small arm weights every day to boost his strength. He still has trouble on his left side. His left arm is too weak for him to push a manual wheelchair. He can shuffle with his right leg, but his left leg does not move well. With more physical therapy, he believes he will be able to walk again.
"The support I've gotten has just been beyond belief," Hartung said. "I'm a very lucky guy to have such a great support system."
