Harry Risher Halbert

They are often called the "Greatest Generation", and there are so few left. Now there is one less. On May 1, 2020 Harry Risher Halbert Jr. passed away at age 96 at his apartment in the Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte, NC. Born January 9, 1924 in Oklahoma City, OK, he was the son of Harry Risher Halbert Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Scruggs) Halbert. Survivors include wife Virginia Lee Page Halbert; sons Thomas Halbert and wife Nancy, Donald Halbert and and wife Liz, and daughter Mary Catherine DuPont and husband Steve; grandchildren, Karin Paque and husband Joel, Kimberly Halbert and husband Chris Perkins, Brian Halbert and wife Katie, Andrew Halbert and wife Alexa, Sarah Halbert, Emily Halbert, Allison Ferrer and husband Nabor, and Anna Whalen and husband James; great-grandchildren Jonah and Vada Halbert, Ellis and Max Paque, Henry and Owen Perkins and Jacob Halbert. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Halbert, and first wife Helen McNeil Halbert.

Harry grew up in the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, but his life was rich with family and friends. As a teen, he developed a lifelong passion for singing, and a fascination with aviation technology. Graduating at the top of his high school class in 1942 during WWII, he enlisted in the Army. While training to be a radar technician in London, Ontario, he met Helen Louise McNeil. Injured in a training accident, Harry and Helen grew closer during his convalescence in Niagara Falls, Ontario. After discharge from the military, Harry enrolled in the University of Oklahoma under the GI Bill. Harry and Helen were married on September 6, 1947, in St. Thomas, Ontario. The couple set up residence in Oklahoma City while Harry finished his degree in Electrical Engineering, then moved to upstate New York where he began working for General Electric in Schenectady. GE moved the family to Vestal NY in 1959 where they raised their three children. Harry was a perfectionist, often working long into the night on control technology for aircraft like the F-104, Apache Helicopter, and DC-10 widebody. And as you might expect from a child of the Depression, he was thrifty. He never paid anyone to do anything he could figure out how to do himself, from pouring a concrete patio to remodeling the basement and painting the house. But he still found time to sing in the church choir, lead an adult Sunday school class, and volunteer with Boy Scouts. When Helen became seriously ill in 1979, Harry took on the added role of caregiver. In 1994 they moved to Aldersgate in Charlotte, near daughter Cathy’s family. When Helen passed away in 1995, Harry was devastated. But after several years, he met Lee Page, and started a wonderful new chapter in his long and full life. In January 2003 Harry and Lee were married, and as a couple, became a treasured part of their childrens’ lives. They danced at their grandchildren's weddings, shared memorable holidays, vacationed with family in Hilton Head and Virginia Beach, and over the last 7 years, reveled at the birth and growth of 7 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by our family, but also by the many residents and caregivers at Aldersgate, as well as his extended family at The First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. He was loved by many for his quick dry wit, his (awful) puns and his beautiful voice.

Due to COVID-1 restrictions, a planned Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Please continue to check our website for any updates. Interment of ashes will be at Vestal Memorial Gardens in Vestal, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC.