Harold Robert Pfenning

Harold Robert Pfenning, age 92, passed away Sept. 9, 2018, in Milwaukie, Ore.Harold was born in Denver and was the next to youngest in a family of seven brothers and one sister. He told many humorous stories about family life in those days. He enlisted in the Navy June, 1944 shortly before turning 18, after talking his father into signing the forms. He was shipped to Japan on a troop carrier that withstood a typhoon, arriving in Nagasaki after the war was declared over. There were six men in his family serving in different branches of the military at once. All returned home safely and the family was pictured on the front page of the Denver Post with their mother. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, Harold enrolled at Colorado State College in Greeley where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1951. He and Jean married and he began his teaching career in Idaho where daughter Gwen and son Greg were born. After moving to Oregon in 1963, Harold earned a Master\u0027s degree from Portland State University in 1969. He taught Industrial Arts for 35 years, retiring from Rex Putnam High School in 1987. Harold very much enjoyed his years as a teacher, loved meeting and talking to former students with families of their own. He was a fine carpenter, metalsmith and handyman. He could fix anything! Harold had many hobbies and loved family camping trips. He spent many happy hours fishing with buddies on the banks of rivers catching \u0026quot;the big ones.\u0026quot; He was a member of the Rose City Close Harmony Barbershop Chorus, the Canby Pitchpipers and had season tickets to the Oregon Symphony. He and Jean were long time members of the RV8\u0027ers Square Dance Club where they met great friends. They also loved to travel, taking road trips to visit almost every state.Harold is survived by wife of 67 years, Jean; daughter, Gwen; and son-in-law, Bob Peterkort; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Greg in 1986.Harold requested no service, there will be a private gathering to celebrate his life at a later date. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Harold Robert Pfenning, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store."",