His father Adolph worked as a Sales Manager for Fargo's Smith Incorporated, a company that built shell boxes and grain bins under contract from the U.S. government during WWII, and later had divisions for truck, farm, and construction equipment.

[3] Attracting the attention of outstanding swimming competitors, 1920 Olympic backstroker and film star Harold "Stubby" Kruger considered Bartels, "One of the nation's best".

During his time swimming with Ohio State under Hall of Fame Coach Mike Peppe, the team won three Big 10 and two NCAA championships.

Senior Al Eastman won the 440-yard free at the Conference Championship with a time of 5:04, placing first in the competition for the third straight year.

[1] Bartels coached tennis and swimming and taught courses in Physical Education at Ohio University in Athens from 1954 through September 1959 when he left to work towards his Doctorate.

[1][5] In 1954, prior to Bartels coaching, the Ohio University, Athens, Bobcat swimming team were Mid-Atlantic Conference Champions.

Schaefer was a three time All American, won a Big 10 title in 1962, and was an Ohio State Athletic Hall of fame inductee.

[15] Ted Fitzsimmons, Captain Al Eastman, and Phil Payton were three of Bartels's outstanding swimmers at Kenyon College the year the swim team was undefeated and won the Ohio Conference.

[16][11][17] Acting as a Guest Speaker for the Marion, Ohio Aquatic Club, Bartels told the audience that determination, desire, courage, background and the willingness to participate and sacrifice were the qualities he looked for in the swimmers he recruited.

[18] In 1968 Bartels was chosen by election to the Board of Directors of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, and ascended to the role of President in 1971, where he served for two years.

In a long serving role, he was the Chairman of Safety Services for the Columbus Area Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1963 through 1986.

Named Professor of Physical Education at Ohio State in 1972, in 1975, he started the Faculty Fitness Program with which he continued work with through 1989.