Harold Lee Waltman

Born on April 30, 1944, in Ohio to Elwood and Geraldine Waltman, Harold moved to Litchfield Park in 1948, along with his twin brother Gerald and older brother David. Harold and Gerald liked to cause fun trouble. They switched classrooms to trick their teachers. They chased after a watermelon truck and one of them jumped on to throw watermelons to the other one running behind. Harold carried this young-at-heart attitude throughout his life and career.

After attending Agua Fria High School, he graduated from Arizona State University. He joined the United States Army and served in Korea. He later earned his Doctorate in Education.

He met his wife, Mary Cheryl (“Cheri”) Waltman (Morrison), on a rainy day in the Litchfield Elementary School gymnasium when they were both substitute teaching and the weather forced their P.E. classes inside. They married in 1973, and had three boys, Robert, Josh, and David.

Harold was a longtime member at The Church at Litchfield Park, where he served in many ways. He whispered jokes at the quietest times in church to make his boys laugh. He coached youth baseball, spent many hours on the soccer fields watching his sons, and made great sand castles on Pacific Beach during their annual trip to the Surfer Motor Lodge.

Harold taught math, became an Assistant Principal, and then the Principal of Desert Horizon Elementary School. In the early nineties, he became the first Principal of Garden Lakes Elementary School, where he served through 2014. Harold loved his Garden Lakes community. His devoted team of teachers and staff became close friends, and for those remembering him now, please know how much your friendship meant to him.

He believed children were the most important people in the world. This held equally true for the honor roll kids, the kids just being kids, and the kids who found themselves in trouble. He often extended his most care and compassion to those who needed a little more encouragement or a second chance. He knew you could be both kind and strong, and led by example.

Known for his light-hearted approach to life, he led a popular Sing & Read program and took great joy in the simple things, like driving his old brown Chevy pickup to school. He ended the morning announcements with a joke of the day, eliciting as many groans as laughs. On occasions when his twin brother Gerald visited from out-of-state, Dr. Waltman made his usual classroom walkthroughs, then as soon as he left through a second door, Gerald would come in the first door wearing the same shirt and tie, blowing the kids’ minds and confirming what everyone already knew: Dr. Waltman added a little magic to the world.

Later in life, Harold devoted himself to caring for Cheri (2020), another testament to a man who always picked up his responsibilities without ever asking for credit. He is survived by his children, Robert (Suzanne), Josh (Olivia), and David (Maddie), and his brother David (Betty). He proudly enjoyed his grandchildren Stella, Jasper, Leo, Josie, Rae, Finn, and Bennett. In lieu of flowers, please make a small donation to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

A Celebration of Life (open house, casual attire) will be held on August 15, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Garden Lakes Elementary School Gym. All are welcome. If you are so inclined, you can bring a pair of youth athletic socks, a tribute to a favorite Sing & Read song. Please join us to celebrate the man, the myth, the legend, Dr. Harold Waltman.