H. Harold Young's Obituary
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth...
Hal passed away November 30, 2010 at the age of 89, surrounded by his family. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas on October 5, 1921. At age 6, Hal took his first airplane ride and began his life-long love affair with aviation. He earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Guggenheim School of Engineering in New York. After graduation, he served in the Air Force during WWII as a test pilot. In 1944 he married his wife and companion of 66 years, Helen Walike. After the war they moved to Santa Monica, California, where Hal joined the Douglas Aircraft Company. He worked for Douglas as a flight safety engineer, a test pilot, and an accident investigation leader. In 1959 he moved the family to Switzerland and started an international airline consulting business. From 1964 until his retirement in 1988, Hal worked for The Boeing Aircraft Company in Europe as a commercial sales director. During this time he and Helen lived in Switzerland, Greece, England, and Italy. Upon retirement, the settled in Lakewood, where Hal became very involved in the financial planning for the incorporation of Lakewood. In 1989, Hal bought his PA 34 Apache airplane and joined a group of fellow aviators, The Fosdick Flyers, on Saturday breakfast flights for over 20 years. He ultimately became a member of the United Flying Octogenarians. Besides his love of flying, Hal was a competitive swimmer in the Pacific Northwest Masters program, winning races until very recently. He was the proud owner of a beautiful 1947 MG TC which he had restored. Hal became a QB in August 1956 and was a charter member of the SMO Hangar. Because his career was always in aviation, Hal was often heard to say that he had never "worked" a day in his life. He knew at age 6 what he wanted to do with his life, and he did it all.
Hal is survived by his wife Helen, two children, daughter Rondi Johnson (Lowell) of Lakewood, and son Steve (Annica) of Lund, Sweden, five grandchildren, Rick, Brandon, Meghan, Susannah and Daniel, and 2 great-grandchildren, Daisy and Mac. He was a huge part of all our lives and will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered always.
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