Oliver Harold Maler

Hal grew up in La Jolla. In his earlier years, he played football and baseball with his friends at the La Jolla Recreation Center. When he got older, Hal played 3rd base and tailback for the Vikings of La Jolla High School. Any time Hal went in as tailback, the opposing team knew it was a pass play because Hal had a prodigious throwing arm. Hal’s love of football and baseball continued even after high school, as he attended and watched numerous Chargers, Padres, and Aztecs games up to his dying day.

After graduating from La Jolla High, Hal enlisted in the Army. He was shipped to Alaska to start a very cold stint as a ski trooper during the Korean War. Hal became weary of nearly freezing to death each day and applied for a job in the Army Post Office in Anchorage. He got the job and after his time in the Army was over, he transferred to the La Jolla Post Office, where he worked as a postal carrier for 35 years. Hal so enjoyed the people on his route and they, in turn, absolutely loved him. Hal carried mail on Coast Boulevard for many years.

Following Hal’s retirement, he and his lovely wife, Mendy, moved from La Jolla to Rancho Penasquitos. Hal loved to grow and cultivate his plants and flowers around the house, and to consume Mendy’s wonderful home cooking. He also loved to read books, play golf, and talk to his wonderful and supportive neighbors. Nevertheless, Hal was most happy being home and spending time with Mendy. They absolutely loved and adored each other.

Hal enjoyed volunteering at the Encinitas YMCA’s Men’s Club and the Joan Kroc Hospice. Both were very rewarding for him.

Will Rogers said, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” On the flip side of the coin, it can be said of Hal, “Everyone who met Hal liked him.” On the inside, he was a kind and gentle man who chose his words wisely. He was a very loyal and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. On the outside, Hal had sparkling blue eyes, white beard and hair, and a cheerful laugh. His neighbors nicknamed him Father Christmas.

Hal was preceded in death by his parents, George and Katherine Maler, his sister Marilyn Maler, and his brother Richard Maler.

Hal is survived by his wife of 47 years, Meredith Kenney Maler, and their three children: Mitch Maler and his wife Nancy of Fresno, CA; Ben Thorson of Kannapolis, N.C. and Angela Thorson Thorpe-Geier of Del Mar. Hal has one surviving brother, Carl Maler, who lives with his wife, Betty, in Santa Ynez, CA. Hal also has seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

At Hal’s request, there will not be a service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to one of Hal’s favorite charities, Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, or Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 97166, Washington, DC 20090-7166, or a charity of the donor’s choosing.