A native of the Caldwell, Texas, area, Harold attended Texas A&M before joining the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he served as a flight instructor while stationed in Florida. After the war, he returned to the university to complete his mechanical engineering degree. Upon graduating, he began a career as a valve design engineer, obtaining several patents for designs still used in power plants today. “He was very passionate about his work while always being down-to-earth,” John said.
Harold’s love of Aggieland and the lifelong friendships he found there inspired his son Mike to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I thought I was destined to attend Concordia University in Austin,” Mike recalled, “but Dad said, ‘Why don’t you try Texas A&M for a year? And if you don’t like it, you can switch.’ Obviously, once you go to Texas A&M, it’s in your blood, so I stayed,” he added with a laugh. Following Harold’s example of civic and community involvement, Mike became actively involved at Texas A&M, and Harold proudly watched his son receive the Buck Weirus Spirit Award during its inaugural year in 1982.
In 2003, the father-son duo brought a touch of Aggieland to Natchitoches, Louisiana, by starting an annual Muster in the community that continues today. “It has been truly meaningful to answer ‘Here’ for my dad and other Aggies I know,” Mike said.
