Dear Blogger family,
Today at 6:45 a.m. Fritz' father Fred Harnsberger passed away in Pasadena. We were able to visit him 2 weeks ago, and then again this last Monday. In this picture from earlier this year, Fritz had taken him for a walk in a park in Alhambra, near Fred's old home.
On Monday we stayed by the bedside with Link and Jennifer. Steve was also able to come up from Fountain Valley.
The boys were able to each say their goodbyes. Fred had been on a feeding tube since last June and on life support this last week. It has been a long time of declining health for Fred and now we know He is a better place. Last January Fritz was able to pray with Fred and share about the Lord with him in a way that he received.
The last few months Fred has been in a Presbyterian home with lots of love and care and music-- worship music. All the visitors and nurses at the home were "His favorites". He had a way of signing to the nurses that they were "Number One". He always liked to kiss the ladies hands or give the guys a very firm handshake. He was very much a part of Link and Jennifer's home, joining them for every dinner, birthday party or event.
This came from Jennifer and Link: Frederick Owen Harnsberger was born in Indianapolis, Indiana January 21st, 1927. He was always proud that when his mother married Leonard Harnsberger, his new father adopted him into the Harnsberger family. He graduated from Broadripple High School and later continued his studies at universities in Indiana and California. His first marriage to Dotty produced two fine boys, Fritz and Steven. After that marriage dissolved, he joined the United States Army and served in Europe during the Korean conflict.
He then worked for Ernie Harnsberger at Harnsberger Realty in Highland Park before meeting his second wife Therese Coscarelli at Cal State University Los Angeles where she was librarian and he was a student. In 1966 they had their only child, Link. Soon, Fred changed careers and went to work at Merrill Lynch as an account executive; a position he held for over 25 years. Fred and Therese both appreciated fine literature and music. Therese was a fine pianist and poet, and Fred enjoyed to read great literature and was also inspired to learn the piano the same time Link was learning. The house was always filled with classical music and fun conversations.
He also had a passion for golf, which carried him to many championships including Merrill Lynch tournaments and even the club championship at the Almansor Men's Golf Club in Alhambra. Whether he was the MC at a dinner dance or saying grace at home, he had a wonderful sense of humor and a wonderful speaking voice. He enjoyed public speaking, and his most cherished trophy was his Toastmaster's trophy from a meeting early in his life.
In 2001, Therese became ill and died suddenly. This was devastating to Fred and Link. Fred then began to suffer small strokes and his health began a gradual decline. During the last few years of his life, he spent a lot of time with his son Link as well as Link's family that included Fred's three granddaughters. As his health declined, he became unable to walk, swallow and talk, all of which was very difficult for such a strong-willed, independent-minded person. During his last few days, he was able to witness the reunion of his three sons, Fritz, Steven and Link.
Fred died on September 26th, 2007 at 6:45 AM. He is survived by three sons, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A Memorial Mass will be next Tuesday Oct 2 at the Holy Family church in Pasadena at 10:30. Following will be the buriel at the Calvary Cemetary in EAST LA. Afterwards we will then congregate at Link and Jennifer Harnsberger's home in Pasadena for lunch and to share memories.
