05/23/2026
It is with great pride we congratulate Perry and Barb Hahn in receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for their outstanding dedication, generosity, and service to the Hartford community from the Hartford Rotary Club.
The Rotary Club is proud to honor two individuals whose lives have been defined by hard work, community leadership, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to giving back — Barb and Perry Hahn.
Both lifelong members of the Hartford community and graduates of Hartford Union High School, Perry and Barb were high school sweethearts who married at just 18 years old, and built not only a successful business, but a remarkable legacy of service. From Perry’s beginnings as a stock boy at Schmidt True Value in 1979, to the growth of what is now Hahn ACE Hardware - Hartford with seven locations and nearly 300 team members, their story truly reflects the American dream. Today, Barb and Perry are still involved in the business, assisting with the continued expansion, while enjoying semi-retirement.
But beyond business success, Perry and Barb have always believed deeply in supporting their community. Their impact on the community can be felt through their past leadership roles with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Medical Center, Aurora Metro Board, and First United Methodist Church. As president of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce, Perry played in instrumental role in working with the Hartford Area Development Corporation and the City of Hartford to obtain 500 acres of land to develop what is today The Dodge Industrial Park, and assisted in luring Quad Graphics as the tenant anchor.
In addition to leadership positions, Barb and Perry have also impacted countless lives in Hartford through scholarships and financial support of initiatives throughout the community— many done quietly and anonymously. Some of these include the endowment of the Barb and Perry Hahn Best Scholarship, an annual Hartford Gridiron Scholarship, and the Barb and Perry Hahn Foundation, which supports causes focused on underprivileged and individuals in unfortunate situations around the Hartford community. Their recent $500,000 commitment toward a new outdoor athletic stadium for Hartford Union High School is just one more example of their vision for future generations.
Please join me in congratulating and thanking Perry and Barb Hahn as recipients of the Paul Harris Award for their outstanding dedication, generosity, and service to the Hartford community.
