Harold C. Ewald

Harold C. Ewald passed away peacefully on February 21, 2015, in his home, where he lived independently for the last 45 years. He is survived by his son, Dr. Bradley Ewald & wife Claudia, McMinnville, Oregon, a daughter, Lynda Martin, Rockford, his former wife, Doris Zimmerman, Rockford, as well as three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two great- great-grandchildren.

Harold was born February 15, 1916 in Byron, Wisconsin, near Horicon Wildlife Refuge, in the farm home of his parents, Herman and Martha Ewald. He was the fourth of six children, all born at home and all of whom eventually left "Woodbrook Farm" and graduated from colleges in the Midwest during the years of the Great Depression.

After graduation from University of Wisconsin Stout, he held various teaching positions in the field of Industrial Arts and served the U.S.Army at Fort Warren, Wyoming until his honorable discharge in 1941.

His teaching talents brought Harold to high school and vocational positions in Wisconsin school districts of Beaver Dam, Madison, Oakfield, Menominee, and Watertown. In Illinois he taught at Glenwood School for Boys and Belvidere High School. Subjects of drafting, woodwork, machine shop, and welding were enjoyed by his students.

Being highly skilled in all types of welding brought Harold to the second phase of his career. He was employed by Brownville Canning Company, Schleuters Dairy Equipment, Fisher Body Auto Plant, Fairbanks Morse, J.I.Case, and Cam Kar. His most memorable welding position during WW2 military production was at the Ford "Willow Run Bomber Plant" in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A veteran and patriot, Harold would proudly state, "We made the B-24 Bombers that won the war!"

At the height of production Willow Run produced 8,000 per year.

His interests included figure skating, woodcraft, and gardening. In the past he held a private pilot's license. At 98, he was mowing his own lawn and insisted to family that only he could clear his sidewalks of snow, even this year. His life was well-lived with staying busy!

A service to celebrate Harold’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday February 28, 2015 at Advantage Funeral Home 7000 W. State St. in Rockford with a visitation from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will be at Willwood Cemetery. Condolence may be sent to the family at www.advantagerockford.com