TRIBUTES have been pouring in for one of Minehead’s best-known residents, Albert Hartgen, who died suddenly at home a few days before Christmas.

Mr Hartgen, aged 76, ran his family butcher’s shop in the town for more than 30 years with his wife Heather before retiring in 2017.

He was a former Minehead Royal National Lifeboat Institution crew member and the station’s last rescue swimmer in the late 1970s.

Albert Hartgen with grandsons Bodhi (left) and Corey at Minehead Harbour.
Albert Hartgen with grandsons Bodhi (left) and Corey at Minehead Harbour. (Family photo)

In 1975, Mr Hartgen and crew members Chris Rundle and Peter McGregor received RNLI bravery awards for their rescue off Porlock of three people from the yacht Svea which had been driven onto rocks by near gale force winds, rough seas, and driving rain.

Mr Hartgen, whose son Ross is a lifeboat helmsman, was a strong sea swimmer and twice swam from Watchet to Minehead to raise more than £1,000 for the charity. He also swam from Minehead to Porlock just for fun.

He moved to Minehead from London’s East End in the early 1970s and at first worked in A.J. Baker’s butcher’s shop in The Parade.

He eventually bought the business and ran it as a family butcher’s until seven years ago when he retired and spent much of his time skippering his 38-foot charter fishing boat Orca.

Ross Hartgen said in a social media message: “Albert was at home on the sea and took every opportunity to go fishing over nearly 50 years as a charter skipper.

Albert Hartgen (right) was honoured in 1975 by the RNLI for bravery in a yacht rescue with Peter McGregor (left) and Chris Rundle.
Albert Hartgen (right) was honoured in 1975 by the RNLI for bravery in a yacht rescue with Peter McGregor (left) and Chris Rundle. (RNLI)

“Having served as the last rescue swimmer in the RNLI at Minehead in the late 70s as well as running a local butchers, his real passion was sea fishing, which he shared with so many people over the years.

“May you rest in peace and may fair winds blow. Sleep easy dad, and you were always the best.”

Mr Hartgen leaves his civil partner Heather, son and daughter Ross and Clare, and grandchildren Annaliese, Corey, and Bodhi.

Former lifeboat helmsman Chris Rundle said in a personal tribute to Mr Hartgen: “Albert was a much-valued and very popular crew member.

Albert Hartgen's charter fishing boat Orca, in Minehead Harbour.
Albert Hartgen's charter fishing boat Orca, in Minehead Harbour. (Family photo)

“Like so many recruits to the modern lifeboat service he had no seagoing experience when he joined up, though he was an exceptionally able swimmer and was involved in a number of challenging shouts where this ability proved crucially important.

“Because of his all-round seamanship and his sheer determination he was always a reassuring presence on board in bad weather.

“He was universally liked and aside from being a pivotal figure in the operational side of the station, on the social side was an enthusiastic member of what was and still is, rightly, regarded as the best club in town.”