Donald Willard Harvey

Don was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, and grew up in New York state. He had an extensive and impressive education. Don graduated from Goshen High School in 1949 at the age of 16. Don attended numerous colleges, starting with Orange County Community College, New York, from 1949 – 1952. He joined the US Air Force from 1952 – 1956. Don then graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1958. Don pursued and received his Doctor of Philosophy from University of Southern California in Aerospace Engineering in 1968. Don started with Douglas Aircraft (now Boeing) in 1958 and was with the company for over 35 years. Don also received a law degree from Pepperdine University in 1975.

Don drove to California in 1958 where he met and married Patricia Hees Mason. They married in Pacific Palisades on November 26, 1960. They had two children - David Willard Mason was born on August 15, 1964 and Elizabeth Sabrina was born on October 28, 1967. After a number of years in the Los Angeles area, Don and Patty moved to Newport Beach in 1970 where they happily raised their children in the same home for over 47 years. He was also proud grandfather to 5 grandchildren – Katelyn (1998), Mitch (2000), Nicole (2002), Emily (2002) and Buddy (2004).

Don loved the outdoors and throughout his life excelled in many sports including skiing, tennis and beach volleyball, but in 1971 he discovered cycling which became a lifelong passion. Don rode extensively throughout the local area and completed major rides, including a cross country trip from Newport Beach to New York in 1979 and Paris Brest Paris in France in 1991. It was also this passion that had him advocating for cyclist safety across Southern California, founding the Orange County Bicycle Coalition in 1993. Don worked tirelessly with planners and politicians to keep the roads safe for cyclist everywhere in Southern California. Don always wanted to contribute, and his giving nature extended to volunteering for Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON) for over 20 years and more recently volunteering for Share Our Selves (SOS).

Don had an impact on all of those that knew him – he was quick with a smile, loved an engaging conversation, a great meal and sitting in the sun. He was a brilliant, honest man with enormous integrity and a great sense of humor. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Don and Patty shared over 57 years together and set a loving example of marriage for their entire family. Don passed away in his home in Newport Beach, CA, on February 22, 2018 and he will be missed greatly. His family and friends will be honoring his life on March 10th at 11:00 AM PT at Pacific View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Don’s favorite organizations: