Robert "Pete" Hartinger was born in Circleville, Ohio, on January 17, 1941. He has lived in Circleville his entire life, except for two short years as a child in Cleveland, Ohio, and two years in the United States Army in Texas at Fort Hood from 1963 to 1965 with the 1st Armored Division.

In the second year, he came home on military leave, married his wife, Patricia, and went back together where they lived off base. After fulfilling his obligation to the Army, the Hartingers returned to Circleville, and Pete started working for the local E.I. Dupont Company. He worked there for 33 years until 1998 when he retired.

In 1975, Pete joined the Ohio Air National Guard and served as a part-timer until 1995. At the start, he was interviewed for a secret clearance for the Air Guard by an intel person at his home. At the end of the interview, Pete told him he was a UFO researcher, as he wanted that to be known. He wrote it down. Pete still received his clearance with no problem. He served with the 160th Air Refueling Group and the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air Base in Columbus, Ohio. Thus, he retired from both Dupont and the military.

Pete has volunteered to do community work in his hometown. He has served on various local boards, including the local Little League Board; founder of the Circleville High School Alumni Association; property officer of the museum of the Soldiers Monumental Association; former chairman and still a county park commissioner; and he is the director of the Roundtown UFO Society. He is also a life member of the local AMVETS Post and has been a member of the American Legion for over 50 years.

Pete loves history, and thus he is a life member of his local historical society. He is also a member of a local church and the local masonic lodge.