Albert "Harry" Harrison Harbaugh
December 9, 1917 ~ September 17, 2015
Albert (Harry) Harrison
Harbaugh
Albert (Harry) Harrison Harbaugh passed away peacefully Thursday September 17, 2015, in Denver, CO. Born in Greeley, CO, in 1917 Harry attended Greeley High School and then graduated from Colorado State College of Education in 1940. He had been president of his junior class and editor of the annual that same year. He began his teaching career as a high school band and orchestra director in Cozad, NE. In 1942, Harry enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a pilot trainer for the B-17 bomber during WWII. Following the war, he continued service in the active Air Force Reserves until 1967. In 1942, Harry married his college sweetheart, Pauline Lois Reddish of Denver, CO, and they subsequently celebrated 64 years of marriage. After leaving active military service, Harry taught high school band and orchestra in Craig, CO and in 1947 he moved his young family to southern California teaching band and orchestra at both San Bernardino and Pacific High Schools. He received his Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Southern California in 1950. He conducted award-winning bands and orchestras in San Bernardino until his retirement in 1980. He was well-loved by his students who called him “Uncle Harry.” He was an active member in the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association and served a term as its president. Throughout their married life, Harry and Pauline traveled extensively to national and international historical and musical sites.
He is survived by his three children: Linda (Harbaugh) Hillman of Oak Park, IL; Paul Harrison Harbaugh of Cherry Hills Village, CO; and Jan (Harbaugh) Angus of Rochester, NY; six grandchildren (Mark, Paul, Phaedra, Jerad, Allegra and Jonathan); ten great-grandchildren (Reese, Emmett, Trenor, Eva, Elena, Harrison, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Katherine, and Emerson); and his daughter and sons-in-law (John, Teresa, and David). Harry and his loving kindness will be greatly missed.
Graveside services will be held at the Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. (staging area "B")
Donations in memory of Harry Harbaugh may be made to the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA)
1902 Wright Pl. Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Your donation will go into the Honorary Life Membership Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are awarded to high school seniors planning to major in music education at the college or university they will be attending.
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Dear (Harry) Mr. Harbaugh You were the best when they didn't think latinos could play the clarinet! You felt we could. Thank you so much for that. So the class of '58 of Pacific High School salutes you. And will never forget your belief in us. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. GOD BLESS.
Leanora Resendez Sims (Class of 1958)
Mr. Harbaugh was a wonderful teacher and kind soul. I was at Pacific High School when he taught there in the 1960's. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
So sorry to hear such sad news….He was the most wonderful teacher I remember in High School..always a smile and a kind word of encouragement..Hugs and prayers to his family…
Just want to say how sad I am at the passing of a great man. I remember Mr. Harbaugh telling me about his time in the Air Force and well since Viet Nam was on me I joined the Air Force and after 24 years retired always thinking of my music teacher. Loved playing the baritone after they had to many trumpet players. Harry asked me if I would change instrument's and I did. I really respected him and he was always in my thoughts .My brother in law say his obituary and so I looked it up. God bless him and his family and I will never forget him. I salute you sir.