Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Harold met and married his wife, Edith, in 1943 while they were both interned at Camp Minondoka, ID during WWII. He also served in the all Japanese American 442nd US Army Regimental Combat Team in Italy, fought to control the Gothic Line in Italy and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2010. After the war, they settled in Colorado to pursue his passion for skiing; and Harold became an apprentice to a jeweler by the name of Henri Grusin, establishing Henri's Jewelry in Littleton, CO and eventually becoming partners in 1957. He retired from the jewelry business in 1971, to become a part owner in Sports International in Denver and in the 1990's represented Vokl skis on a part time basis until he fully retired.

Harold's real legacy, however, remains in his dedication and passion for skiing and outdoor sports. If he wasn't working, he would be in the mountains, skiing, fishing, and rock climbing, camping, cycling or hiking. He served on the Winter Park Volunteer Ski Patrol for nearly 50 years and was very active in organizational skiing with the National Ski Patrol, the Rocky Mountain Ski Association, the Tyrol Ski Club, Ski Club Zipfelberger and the FIS where he developed the procedures for timing ski races in the 1950's. He officiated at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, taught certification classes for ski racing referees, and was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 1988. In all his years of skiing, he broke his leg three times, had a few broken ribs and dislocated his shoulder. Even two artificial hips and a lung disease which required he carry an oxygen tank, could not keep from skiing until he was 89 years old!

He lived a long and full life and touched the lives of many. He is survived by his wife Edith, his two daughters, Barbara and Jeri Ann, three granddaughters and seven great grandchildren.

He will be buried in a private ceremony at Ft. Logan National Cemetery and A Celebration of Life reception will be held on Thursday, April 10, 1-3 PM at Windcrest, 3235 Mill Vista Road, Highlands Ranch, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame or Denver Hospice.