On Aug. 2, 2012, Harold Spitzer left this world to join his "one true love" Beverly Ann and son, John.
Harold was a shining example of the men we now refer to as the "Greatest Generation." He selflessly and bravely fought for his country, returned home after the war to little fanfare and stoically began building a career and taking care of his family, creating a successful business and making this nation the standard bearer for all nations to emulate.
Harold was born March 24, 1925, in Parshall, to George and Hattie (Buck) Spitzer, where he lived on the family farm. At the age of 15 he ventured to Tacoma, Wash., where he worked as a welder in the shipyards until he was inducted into the Army in July 1943. He was attached with the 346th Field Artillery Battalion where he served his country in North Africa and Italy. He received the Bronze Star for bravery in 1944 in Italy. Upon his separation from the Army in November 1945 he returned to North Dakota where he met and married the love of his life, Beverly Ann.
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Harold started his career in the oil industry with Toronto Pipeline Company in Cut Bank, Mont., in 1950. The oil industry took him and his family to Nebraska and Colorado where he was general manager for Western Crude Oil and Permian Corporation. In 1969 he was transferred to Casper, Wyo., where he and his partner formed C & S Trucking Company where he stayed until 1986. After he retired from the trucking business he returned to Parshall where he actively farmed until 2004.
Harold was preceded in death by: his parents; wives, Beverly Ann and Evelyn Anderson; his son, John; and half brothers, George, Ralph, John and Glen Bartelson, all formerly of Parshall.
He is survived by: his son, Michael (Pam) Spitzer, of Grand Junction, Colo.; daughter, Penney (Vance) Ahlstrom, of Grand Junction and Harrisonburg, Va.; three grandsons, Michael (Jenna) Spitzer, of Phoenix, Jason (Jackie) Spitzer, of Firestone, Colo., and Tyler Ahlstrom, of Harrisonburg; and six great-grandchildren.
God bless you dad. Thank you for instilling in us courage, responsibility and love of family. We will honor and love you forever dad. Till we meet again.