Lasting Memories
Harvey Jesse Friedland
June 17, 1922-March 3, 2016
Menlo Park, California
Submitted by David Friedland
Harvey Jesse Friedland, of Menlo Park, passed away on March 3, 2016 at the grand age of 93 to the sorrow of his family and friends.
He was born in Milwaukee, one of three children. He grew up in Milwaukee and attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
After meeting and marrying Charlene Feingold of Chicago and serving in the U.S. Army during WWII, Harvey, with his growing family, moved to Chicago and then to Fort Walton Beach, where he designed aerospace components as part of Chicago Midway Laboratories.
Among thousands of others in the late 1950s, Harvey was part of the developing aerospace community transforming Santa Clara County and settled in Palo Alto. He began a 30-year career at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale and was part of teams developing the Poseidon and Trident missile systems, eventually rising to senior management positions in quality control, organizational planning, and logistics. And for many years at Lockheed, Harvey was part of a legendary daily lunchtime cribbage game.
Harvey and his family were founding members of Congregation Beth Am, where he was instrumental in building a new Jewish community and temple facilities in Los Altos Hills.
At Beth Am, Harvey also rediscovered his love of acting and singing, started a theater group there and starred in several temple productions, as well as becoming a stalwart member of the temple choir. He was an original cast member of the Los Altos Conservatory Theater, starring in dozens of productions over many years -- mostly raucous comedies and musicals -- to the delight of the community.
Harvey fell in love with and married Barbara Doolin in 1984. Together, they had a wonderful marriage and life that included traveling around the world and spending time with their combined and expanding extended family.
After retiring, Harvey was very active as a volunteer in the community, including work at the Service League of San Mateo County, where he counseled jail inmates on re-entry into the community; the Blood Bank of Palo Alto (where he was also a 10-gallon blood donor); the Volunteer Bureau of San Mateo County; and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, as well as his special love: reading stories to children in the Redwood City Schools.
Harvey also served as president of homeowner associations in Redwood City and Sharon Park.
Harvey is survived by his loving wife Barbara Friedland, children Steven Friedland, Karen Friedland-Brown, Nancy Friedland and David Friedland; step-children Anne Davenport, Clare Tynan, David Doolin and Beth Ray; and 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Sept. 10, 2016
God bless your father and your family. I have wonderful years of memories of your dad and my dad Bennett and their cribbage games. I am so happy he had such a wonderful long life. I am sorry I just found,this online. Xxoo
March 17, 2016
As the husband of my godmother, Barb, Harv saw me many times as I would visit their home, usually seeking the benefit of Barb’s experience and wisdom. He was unfailingly warm and welcoming. He never made me feel like I was intruding on their 'space,' or that he in any way minded my taking her time and energy. We felt an extra special connection because, not only was Barb's grandson a classmate of my boys, but 2 of his kids were classmates of mine way back in the 1960s at Gunn High School! Later, as Harv's health declined, our son Danny would occasionally help by accompanying him on walks. Danny recalls with special fondness Harv’s love of sunshine, dogs and music. He also enjoyed the stories Harv told him of growing up in Milwaukee.
March 17, 2016
I really enjoyed Harv's sweet warm personality in his older years. I would spend a few afternoons a week and with him and we would go out for a coffee and a cookie (he would always comment, "That's good coffee!") and then a stroll in Holbrook Palmer Park. He always loved to stop and to check out the little kids and little dogs and you could see him smile and get all stoked up. The sunshine and the fresh air and kids and dogs seemed to bring him a lot of happiness. We would always listen to music or sing together. In the car we'd listen to the big band station or his CD's. He loved the Mozart Oboe Quartet in F major especially. And he loved to sing too, we would sing songs like Grandfather's clock, Golden Slippers and Danny Boy. He definitely was slowing down in his older years and would say "I am 90 years old" frequently but I really remember him as being a happy warm sweet guy with a great smile and a big heart and an appreciation for a great family and a great life.
March 10, 2016
My daughter was about 4 and we were visiting Barb and Harv sitting out by the pool-- Sarah was laughing and having a great time because Harvey was reading to her 'there was an old lady that swallowed a fly'. Harvey was a good friend. He made me laugh and always told me he he loved me. and Love never dies.