Harold Olov Wang

(December 7, 1911 – November 19, 2011)

Artist - Poet - Author - Historian

Harold Olov Wang was born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin on December 7, 1911 to Scandinavian immigrants, the second of 5 children and the only son. Growing up with 4 sisters during the eve of The Depression stimulated Harold’s young mind and imagination. Self-educated in the arts and literature through the writings of the greats of his generation, he loved to chronicle the lives of the people in his small hometown, showing an early talent for writing which he pursued throughout his life. He graduated from high school in the spring of 1930, and decided to broaden his horizons with a 10-month hitch-hiking and train-hopping trip throughout the East, West, and South that spawned dozens of articles of his fascinating adventures, which were published in the Rhinelander Daily News. This launched a passion for writing and painting which remained very much a part of Harold’s life.

In the spring of 1942, Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army when World War II broke out. During his four years of service and while aboard a U.S. Navy Liberty ship, Harold created a truly amazing collection of 36 drawings in 1945 which so vividly capture the true emotions and Army life during those long days and months of the War. He served in a general’s office, and later guarded captured German generals. He was also the regiment’s stenographer, and fortunately due to his ability to take shorthand, he was not sent to the front lines. He was later discharged, and on March 21, 1946, married a German-born citizen, Gisela von Koschembahr, whom he met and fell in love with early in his military career when she came to work for him while serving as a WAC in the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1948, with the images, thoughts, and feelings about the War still strong in his memory, he penned the moving accounts of those days in his collection of 33 poems entitled, “This The Time”.

Harold and Gisela ultimately went to work for the U.S. Government, started a family, and settled in Virginia, and later Maryland. During the time that Harold was employed by the Department of State in Washington, DC, he always continued and pursued his passion for writing and art. He became an historian on Abraham Lincoln, and after his retirement in the early 1970’s, he enjoyed the freedom of being able to do extensive travelling and research for his various plays, short stories, collection of poems, and novels including a Civil War-era novel, “The Pantages – A Saga”.

In August, 1989, Harold and Gisela relocated to Palmdale, California. Harold continued to write and paint, but sadly, Gisela passed away on January 1, 1999 at age 84. In June of 2000, mostly to ease his grief and longing, Harold resumed his painting, and found a renewed sense of creativity and vitality. This is reflected in the paintings from his “New Dimensions” collection, which increased the number of his completed works to over 400.

Harold’s website contains more of his impressive body of work which also includes traditional paintings, and shows a broad spectrum of styles and influences that spans over 9 decades. He was an avid writer and an artist for more than 90 years, working in various media and textures.

Harold was truly an honor and inspiration: charming and charismatic, he had a wonderful sense of humor and wit, and he was the life of the party on so many occasions. Even at his “young” old age of almost 100, Harold still had his passions, his myriad talents, and his wonderful imagination.

In his own words……

“When you view my paintings, I believe you see one thing at first, then looking longer and deeper, you see other things intriguing and unexpected. Each time you experience my paintings, you will always see something different - birds, animals and other exciting and strange creatures you had not initially envisioned will suddenly and magically become visible to you, and you will have a renewed appreciation of the work again and again. Back away, move closer, revisit and feel the remarkable energy that flows from every canvas – the key is to use your imagination.”

Please visit Harold’s website at: www.haroldolovwang.com

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to contribute to Harold’s wish that his incredible legacy live on through his future art exhibits:

Geraldine Livingston

P.O. Box 1333

Canyon Country, CA 91386

(818) 424-1165

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for your love and support.

Arrangements under the direction of Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, Newhall, CA.