It was a bright sunny early morning without a cloud in the sky, when crossing the street to the County building; I happened to look up and there was Harold, hanging over the roof of the Port Hotel with his camera taking a picture of the eagle on top of the  Courthouse.

After a meeting, I went into his office and said; "Are you nuts? You could have fallen."
 

 Eagle&Clock.jpg (167482 bytes)

He said, "Well the light was just right and I wanted to take advantage of it.

On his desk was a winter picture of the main street of Cedarburg.


"How come there aren’t any cars on the street, Harold?"

"Sandy, he said "there usually aren’t any cars on the street at 4:30 in the morning during a snow storm."
 

 Christmas Past - Cedarburg 1956

Whether it was the picture of Stony Hill School taken at the correct moment when the shadow of the flag pole touched the tip of the roof or the Cedarburg Mill taken when the light was right but there weren’t any shadows. Whether it was while training in the fire department or at an event with the Historical Society it was always done the correct way. The prevalence of perfection was evident in all aspects of his life. Stoney Hill Schoolhouse - Flag Day

He was a man of great compassion, which was certainly evident with the many organizations he so faithfully served with total unselfish time and energy.

Harold, as the County Clerk, watched out for the Taxpayer. To those of us who served alongside of him at the County, the rule sounds like this: Line item shifting of the budgeted funds is not an option without approval. But Harold brought rules and legalese to a personal level, to a level that reminded the supervisors that they are elected to serve the people and to always remember people and their duty to them above all else. Harold’s take on "line item shifting without approval?

"It’s not your money or my money. It’s the TAXPAYERS money and we have no right to use it without going through the budget process."

Harold served almost 40 years in the county and never lost sight of what was sacred, never took the easy way out, and never tired of reminding others of their duty and the passion that should accompany it. During votes and meetings, budget numbers increasing and decreasing, tempers flaring -- Harold could always see the real reason. He could sense when he was losing a Supervisor due to anger, frustration, confusion or bewilderment. Like his fondness for photography, he could see the right shot, what would be necessary to achieve it and he could be patient and explain it all. He had vision. He could lead and he did.

Some might overlook his perfectionism, his dedication to the county and his surroundings and brush it off as: "Oh he’s just an old guy that wants to control the situation." Okay, as another old guy, yeah, I guess we have a different perspective of the world, but Harold was always open to new ideas and thoughts.

First: Harold didn’t believe in harming the constituents or putting the county in a bad light.

Second: he wanted to teach. He wanted to share the view of what he was able to see – that angle of sunlight that we all take for granted in the Covered Bridge picture, the serenity of that main street picture. Did anyone ever ask why there were no cars in the street? Did anyone notice? If they did, did they realize what kind of person it took to create such a mood? And why? Because it was Harold and that’s who he was. He didn’t want to change or control people, just cause them to look at the world around them both far and near, and question. What would make this county better? What would make the taxpayers happier? Safer? What would make my fellow man more my brother?

All those that came in contact with him were taught to look for the details. I’ve heard that he would move pictures around in the office at night wondering who would question the anomaly. And I understand that he would get quite disappointed if the staff took until noon to notice the change. Some might think that these training methods were unorthodox, but they were missing the true lesson: You see, he wanted everyone to pay attention to what is happening. To be happy and satisfied but never complacent and lazy. To be busy and on task, but always aware. Aware of who you are, where you are and how you can help. Or teach. Or listen. Or give.

Harold, each and every one of us, wants to thank you for your dedication, for sharing your love of pictures, for making us look at life. We will think of you always. We will remember all the laughs, love and life.

So long dear friend.

Eulogy by Gustav Wirth
County Board Chairman