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Harold S. 'Hal' Alderman Poway, CA QCWA # 19609 Chapter 14 |
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Harold Spencer Alderman Jr. died peacefully in his sleep on October 20, 2009, at the age of 90 after a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease.
Hal was born in Key West Florida on July 20, 1919. His mother, Fayette, passed away from Tuberculosis when he was 7 years old. After her death, his father, Harold Sr., moved the family to San Diego County, where Hal spent his youth pursuing his passions: hunting, fishing and surfing.
He was an avid student and outdoorsman, graduating from Herbert Hoover Senior High School in June of 1937 and also, in that same year, obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boys Scouts of America. He attended both San Diego State University and the University of Vermont before enlisting in the Air Force. He served his country from 1943 . 1946 as an aviation cadet and airborne radio operator. He re-enlisted in 1948 and served as an airborne radio operator during the Berlin Airlift and German occupation until 1952.
After his discharge from the Air Force in August of 1952, Hal returned to San Diego where he resumed his pre-military career at General Dynamics/Convair. He worked at Convair as a parts expeditor until his retirement at age 62.
Hal met the love of his life, Audrey, on the dance floor of the Silverado Club in San Diego and married her on August 3, 1963. Along with Audrey came 4 children, Leigh, David, Katie and Kim. The new family settled in Poway where Audrey was an elementary school teacher. Hal was a great dad and volunteer on behalf of his new family. He spent many back breaking hours building fences for the girls horses and steers both at home and at the local PVRA. He also shared his passion for camping and fishing in the Sierras and was an avid Amateur Radio Operator, call sign WB6AFS, keeping his license current throughout his civilian life up until his death.