Martha Jean Hahn
Martha Jean Hahn, age 41 of Englewood, CO, died Monday, October 1, 2015 at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago, IL.
Martha was born March 1, 1974 in Beloit, WI, the daughter of Adam and Delores (Andrews) Hahn. She married Craig Hulburt of Beloit, WI in Castle Rock, CO on May 14, 2004
As a girl and young woman, Martha became an accomplished equestrian, competing in Western and English riding. She bought her horse, Tang with her own money when she was only 12 years old. She and Tang went on win and place highly in many competitions together and were featured on the front page of a local newspaper. Active in 4-H, she also won first place in Dog Obedience with the family pet, Beau Chien, aka Rambo.
Martha had a great love of the mountains where she enjoyed hiking and camping. She also loved going to the ocean where she enjoyed SCUBA diving, long walks on the beach or just sitting and enjoying the serenity. Martha especially loved traveling and experiencing other cultures. Traveling was all she ever wanted to do when she could get time off for herself. Martha had traveled to India, Thailand, Laos, Tibet, Nepal, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Brasil, Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and throughout the United States.
Martha graduated from Beloit Catholic High School in 1992, University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 2001, and Colorado School of Mines with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering and Science in 2006, all with honors. She was finishing her PhD studies and research in Environmental Engineering and Science at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO at the time of her passing. Martha will be awarded her PhD posthumously in May 2016 by Colorado School of Mines.
Martha made her career at Plum Creek Water Reclamation Authority (PCWRA) in Castle Rock, CO. She started working at PCWRA as a laboratory technician through a temporary agency in 2002. It was her first job after moving to the greater Denver, CO area. It was during this time that Martha discovered the field that would become her life’s work. She became fascinated by the science behind the field of water reclamation and treatment, and she began to express interest in staying on staff at PCWRA and learning about operations.
Once her temporary assignment was completed in 2002, she was hired on as a permanent staff member of PCWRA as an Operations Specialist. Martha recognized the importance of reclaiming our precious and limited water resources and giving them back to the environment in a way that is safe for people and wild life. She dedicated herself to learning everything she could about her new field of work, and went back to college at night to pursue her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering at Colorado School of Mines.
In 2005, Martha went on to be promoted to the position of Operations Supervisor. After completing her Master’s Degree in 2006, Martha was promoted again to the position of Operations Manager in 2007. In 2008, Martha was promoted to the position of Plant Superintendent / Assistant Authority Manager. Martha was the first and only woman to reach this level of achievement and leadership at a water reclamation facility in the state of Colorado.
In 2011, while continuing to maintain her full time managerial commitments at PCWRA, Martha returned to Colorado School of Mines and began to pursue her PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering. Just prior to her passing, Martha had been notified by her board of directors that she was being promoted to the position of CEO / Authority Manager at PCWRA. Her contract with the board was in the process of being finalized, and would have gone into effect on January 1, 2016.
For her PhD research, Martha engineered and built a pilot scale anaerobic baffled reactor for the biologically enhanced treatment of raw municipal wastewater. Her research was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Reinventing the Nation’s Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), the State of Colorado, and PCWRA. Martha proved that her process is an economical and energy positive (generates energy) technology that can be used in cold climates. Similar processes have previously been developed, but were only effective in warm climates. Martha’s research was recently published online (print in process) in the scientific journalWater Research. Most recently, Martha presented her findings at the 88th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference. WEFTEC is the premier annual conference in the field of water treatment and sanitation.
A tireless volunteer, Martha served as the Chair of the Chatfield Watershed Authority TRC in 2009, and the Chair of the Colorado Wastewater Utility Council from 2013-14. She also served on the Industrial Advisory Board, ReNUWIt ERC, and volunteered on the Colorado Wastewater Operator Certification Program. In addition, she supported undergraduate research through work study and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU).
Martha was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. The lynch-pin of her family, she kept everyone connected and spent countless hours coordinating care and providing support for her disabled sister. She and her husband opened their home and hearts to provide a safe haven for her niece in 2009. No matter how little time Martha kept for herself, she always found time to make sure that her family and friends were cared for and loved. She was truly selfless.
Martha is survived by her husband, Craig Hulburt, and Kathrina Hahn, Martha’s ward and niece (whom Martha and Craig have been raising since 2009), of Englewood, CO; her mother, Delores Hahn of Beloit, WI; three sisters, Ann (Charlie) Marchand of Copperas, TX, Patricia (John) Winter of Nathrop, CO, and Rachel Hahn of Littleton, CO; Niece, Amanda Winter of Nathrop, CO; Nephew, Nathan Winter of Nathrop, CO; Aunts, Beverly (Richard) Mocker of Forreston, IL and Judith Andrews of Chicago, IL. She is preceded by her father Adam Hahn and two uncles, Harold Andrews and Richard Andrews.