Harold E. Volkar

Harold E. Volkar
April 25, 1924--December 19, 2018
Resident of Martinez

Harold, a man of humility, integrity, and love, passed away at 94 years old surrounded by his family. He inspired and influenced many as a family man, Navy veteran, Chevron retiree, and an active church member at Faith Lutheran Church for many years. His children were told by many people that he was the nicest person and he was always willing and happy to help other people. He was a man of strong beliefs and always lived by the principle that we are happiest when we have faith, love our family and friends, and stay active and healthy. Memories of fun times with Harold are shared here: volkarfamily.weebly.com

Born in Denver, CO, he grew up mostly in Nebraska and later Spokane, WA. In Spokane he met his first wife, Gerry, and started his family close to his parents. While from the Midwest, Harold was a Pacific Northwest man at heart. He loved the mountains, especially the Cascades and Mt. Rainier, the evergreen trees and the ocean at Puget Sound and Alki Beach. He also loved the Redwood trees in California and the scenery on long road trips between California and Washington.

Harold was an only child yet grew up surrounded by cousins that were like brothers to him. When he started school, he could only speak German, but it was at a time when being bilingual was not valued and soon he spoke only English. He had many friends, childhood adventures and fondly remembered the Walther League in his youth and made many lifetime friends. Harold joined the Navy in 1943-1946 and recalled going under the Golden Gate Bridge, being at sea for long periods of time, and active duty in New Caledonia. Even then he was a man of integrity and broke down barriers in his quiet and unassuming way. He always followed the straight and narrow path. He was not known to drink or party at port, but always led others to church the next day. Harold truly was a man of faith and an instrument of God's love and peace to all.

Since his first priority was to be a family man, he left the Navy and met Gerry in Spokane, WA, where they later married in 1951. Their honeymoon was to Banff and Lake Louise, one of his all-time favorite places. They settled in Spokane and started their family while Harold worked at Standard Oil (later Chevron) and selling World Book Encyclopedia. They had four kids in Spokane (Janet, Norm, Wayne, David) and enjoyed family and friends nearby. His work transferred them to Seattle in 1962 in time for the World's Fair that year. Their fifth child, Nancy, was born in Seattle. Harold enjoyed walking and riding the bus to work to stay active and was proud of the '48 Dodge he drove. In 1971 his work transferred them again, this time to California. He connected with the first church he visited, Faith Lutheran Church. Harold was always active at church whether it be ushering, sports, chatting, helping with youth or group trips, the Men's Breakfast, visiting homebound members, and of course, the Over the Hill Gang. An avid sports fan, Harold ran track in college, played basketball, and stayed active in softball up to age 85. He always liked to talk sports whether it be football or cheering on the Warriors.

Harold loved to travel and see new places and the outdoors. He enjoyed the boy scout 50-mile hikes and joined many of the church travel group excursions that included Alaska and Europe. He saw most of the United States and always made time to visit family in Washington.

Throughout his life, Harold had a gift for bringing people together. He was the unifying factor that kept relations close despite distance with numerous road trips or frequent phone calls to family and friends in Washington, California, and Nebraska. Harold connected with his family in Graz, Austria, through cousin Walter and family. We enjoyed several visits together - a connection that lasts to this day. In retirement, he enjoyed genealogy and traced his roots back to the ship his father was on when he came to America, which arrived just a few years before Ellis Island closed.

After Gerry passed away in 2000, he began a new chapter when he married Martha in 2004. They shared the same love for church, social activities, and caring for one another and their family and friends. Their love branched out to their extended families that included a combined 27 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and children Janet, Wayne, David, and Nancy. He is also survived by his granddaughter Sara and her family, who helped as his caregivers in his latter days and allowed him to find peace in his own home before joining his wife, Gerry, and son, Norm, in heaven. Harold will be missed as he inspired, influenced, and touched many lives.

Our family would like to extend a grateful and heartfelt thanks to all our family and friends, the entire Faith Lutheran Church community, and close friends Bob and Eleanor Manley who supported us during this difficult time. You have all been a source of comfort and strength to us. In your own way, you were a channel of God's love to Harold and he felt the love and had a heart of gratitude!