Noal Cope Harbertson

November 19, 1942 – July 31, 2024

Dr. Noal Cope Harbertson, 81, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

He was born in Ogden, Utah to Elsie Iris Cope and Don Leroy Harbertson, the younger of the two children.

He received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Utah and Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy from North Carolina State University in Mathematics. He was a highly respected and valued Professor of Applied Mathematics at California State University of Fresno from 1971-2006, served as Chair of the Department for many years, and developed the first Computer Science program at the University. After retirement, he was recognized as a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. He loved teaching and was always excited to discuss and learn more about mathematics. He cared about his students learning.

He had a strong work ethic and curiosity for learning from a very young age which continued throughout his life, and had a deep love and sense of responsibility for the special people in his life, children, family, and friends.

He loved to go fly fishing for trout, his favorite pastime, at various streams in northern California, particularly, the Kings River and Yosemite, but also Idaho and Utah where he grew up and visited his parents often with his children during the summers. He enjoyed a lifelong hobby of tying his own flies for fly fishing, art work, and loved seafood. He shared his love of Yellowstone, buffalo, and other wildlife with his children. He had a delightful sense of humor and enjoyed sending drawings and care packages to his children and grandchildren. He was a remarkable and unique man, with insight and understanding for many perspectives, was sensitive and caring, and valued and strongly supported higher education for his children and his students. He was kind, thoughtful, loving, and caring person.

He is survived by his sweetheart; brother: Dr. Lane Harbertson, DDS; four children: David N. Harbertson, Ann Hall, Dr. Lara N. Durna, MD, Dr. Judith Harbertson, PhD, MPH and five grandchildren: Alena B. Hall, Aiden J. Sneller, Ian T. Sneller, Madeline O. Smith, and Caitlin S. Smith, who reside in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Per his wishes, his ashes will be transferred and rested in his burial plot next to his loving deceased parents at Mountain Green Cemetery, in Morgan, Utah.

You will be loved and remembered forever!! May the winds of heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear how much we love and miss you and wish that you were here with us.

May Your Soul Rest in Peace