Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell, MT)
February 6, 2012
Clyde Charles Harshbarger died Feb. 4, 2012, in Arizona from respiratory failure.
He was born Dec. 1, 1937, in Lamar, Colo. He spent his youth in many places with his family, finally settling in Brighton, Colo., where he graduated from high school.
He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated with a degree in wildlife management. He did graduate work at Colorado State University, getting his teaching certificate.
He spent two years in the Army, posted mainly in San Antonio.
He married Marsha Fleming Reiter and settled in Sheridan, where he taught school. They had two children and moved to Kalispell, where he taught science at Kalispell Junior High and Linderman.
He and Marsha divorced in 1971, and he married Linda Hammond in 1973. Together they taught school and enjoyed time with his children, who lived in Kalispell with them for the summer.
A severe back injury forced his retirement in 1987. He became the chief cook in the household until Linda retired in 2000, then the couple fulfilled their dream of wintering in Arizona. They spent 11 winters in Bullhead City, returning to Montana for summers. They enjoyed golfing and fishing together year-round.
Clyde was an avid and gifted bowler until his back injury forced him to quit. He also loved to garden and developed the showplace garden of the neighborhood. He was a lifelong hunter, whether it be big game or waterfowl. He loved to play golf with Linda, and they enjoyed many happy times on trips that included new golf courses.
His first love and passion was fishing. He was an expert trout and bass fisherman. His happiest times were spent with a fishing rod in his hand.
He will be remembered as a kind, sensitive man who delighted in teaching others, whether it be in the classroom or the fishing stream. He was a generous and caring friend and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Frances Harshbarger; and a younger brother, Bruce.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years; son, Jeff Harshbarger, of Billings; and daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Eric Graves, of Wenatchee, Wash. He has five grandchildren, Carie, Brandon and Amy Graves, and Hannah and Haylee Harshbarger. Two brothers survive him, Ed and Joyce Harshbarger of Brighton, and Doug and Shirley Harshbarger of Vanderhoof, British Columbia. He also has four nieces and nephews who were very special to him.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like gifts to the National Wildlife Federation, the Flathead Food Bank or the charity of your choice.
He will be cremated, and a memorial will be held in the spring in Kalispell. Condolences can be sent to 2031 Swan Bay in Bullhead City, AZ 86442.
He was born Dec. 1, 1937, in Lamar, Colo. He spent his youth in many places with his family, finally settling in Brighton, Colo., where he graduated from high school.
He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated with a degree in wildlife management. He did graduate work at Colorado State University, getting his teaching certificate.
He spent two years in the Army, posted mainly in San Antonio.
He married Marsha Fleming Reiter and settled in Sheridan, where he taught school. They had two children and moved to Kalispell, where he taught science at Kalispell Junior High and Linderman.
He and Marsha divorced in 1971, and he married Linda Hammond in 1973. Together they taught school and enjoyed time with his children, who lived in Kalispell with them for the summer.
A severe back injury forced his retirement in 1987. He became the chief cook in the household until Linda retired in 2000, then the couple fulfilled their dream of wintering in Arizona. They spent 11 winters in Bullhead City, returning to Montana for summers. They enjoyed golfing and fishing together year-round.
Clyde was an avid and gifted bowler until his back injury forced him to quit. He also loved to garden and developed the showplace garden of the neighborhood. He was a lifelong hunter, whether it be big game or waterfowl. He loved to play golf with Linda, and they enjoyed many happy times on trips that included new golf courses.
His first love and passion was fishing. He was an expert trout and bass fisherman. His happiest times were spent with a fishing rod in his hand.
He will be remembered as a kind, sensitive man who delighted in teaching others, whether it be in the classroom or the fishing stream. He was a generous and caring friend and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Frances Harshbarger; and a younger brother, Bruce.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years; son, Jeff Harshbarger, of Billings; and daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Eric Graves, of Wenatchee, Wash. He has five grandchildren, Carie, Brandon and Amy Graves, and Hannah and Haylee Harshbarger. Two brothers survive him, Ed and Joyce Harshbarger of Brighton, and Doug and Shirley Harshbarger of Vanderhoof, British Columbia. He also has four nieces and nephews who were very special to him.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like gifts to the National Wildlife Federation, the Flathead Food Bank or the charity of your choice.
He will be cremated, and a memorial will be held in the spring in Kalispell. Condolences can be sent to 2031 Swan Bay in Bullhead City, AZ 86442.
