Harald Joseph Herglotz

Born in Dux, Czechoslovakia, on February 1, 1945 to parents Margit and Heribert, Harald was a proud resident of Tuscaloosa for the past four decades. His happiness came from his family, artwork, the beautiful outdoors, cooking, and doing hobbies such as metal detecting and treasure hunting at local antique shops and area garage sales.

A principled man with simple tastes, he reveled in making people smile with his amazing artistic talents, humor, big heart, and even bigger smile. His wife, six children, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild, along with his sisters, the extended family brought Harald joy, happiness and pride.

He cherished memories and good times created through family reunions that occurred as his large family grew and spread across the country. Harald was a fabulous cook, learning to prepare German delicacies from his mother, and sharing that joy with many. He was also an outdoorsman, enjoying nature, animals and encouraging his children to appreciate that beauty through the Boy Scouts (he earned Eagle Scout in two countries), camping trips, and interactions with beloved family pets. Harald also had an amazing sense of humor, always able to bring laughter with a good joke or mischief.

Harald considered himself extremely fortunate to have been blessed with remarkable artistic talents. As a child growing up in Bohemia he was fascinated with engraved crystal, an art form dating back centuries throughout the European culture. After several years working as a successful packaging designer for Westvaco and Gulf States Paper, Harald was able to turn his childhood dream and passion for crystal engraving into his livelihood. Self-taught, Harald not only learned the skill, he mastered the craft, becoming one of the few hand crystal engravers in the United States.

His work has brought joy to so many people, where his love and passion can be seen in every engraving, image and project. He created more than 10,000 beautifully handcrafted crystal pieces during his lifetime, and, through a brilliant sense of creativity and imagination, his artistic talents also included painting, scrimshaw, jewelry and woodwork.

For over 30 years, Harald provided exclusive hand crystal engraving services for Bromberg’s Jewelers in Birmingham, garnering a reputation for creating exquisite fine art that continued to gain recognition. His work created special memories, dreams, family heirlooms and one-of-a-kind awards and can be found all over the world, from the Ronald Reagan Library and the Paul “Bear” Bryan Museum at the University of Alabama, to the U.S. Vice President’s residence and in the homes of dignitaries and celebrities. His biggest reward was always the smile his gift brought to others.

Harald, blessed with a very large and loving family, is survived by his wife of 33 years, Pamela, who together were bonded by their mutual affection for art and, most importantly, their six children: Harold of Tuscaloosa and his wife Trisha; Hank of Anchorage, AK, and his wife Arianne; Kevin of San Francisco, CA, and his partner James Maxwell; Sean Kenney, of Yorktown, VA, and his wife Holly; Kristin Kenney-Izen of Atlanta, GA, and her husband Keven; and Heath of Tuscaloosa and his wife Jackie. Harald’s spirit lives on in his nine grandchildren: Patrick and Justin Herglotz; Ryan Herglotz; Reilly Maxwell; Allison and Ryan Kenney; Emily Izen; and Hailey and Peyton Herglotz; a great-grandchild, London Herglotz; and his beloved sisters, their husbands and children: Helga, A.K. and Arno Kissell of Newark, DE; Heidi, Fred, Christian and Greta Scheing of Lincoln, PA; and Helen and Stash Stetina of Greensburg, PA.

A memorial service and celebration of Harald’s life will be held at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 721 Greensboro Avenue, in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Caring Hands Hospice of Tuscaloosa (e-mail: [email protected]).