[This Eulogy was written by Earl Thomas Harvey Jr. (Tom) and delivered by him at Earl Harvey's Memorial Service in 1999]:
Earl Thomas Harvey was born July 23, 1917, in South Omaha, Nebraska, the eldest son of Ernest C. and Ruth Clara Hodgson Harvey. He grew up in a family which was very active in Fairview Presbyterian Church at 42nd and Pratt Streets. He attended Clifton Hill Elementary School and North High School. While he was a voice student of the late Mary Silver at North, she sent him to sing in the choir at Dundee Presbyterian Church where Harry Cooper, a former New York voice coach, was the choir director. Earl studied voice for several years with Mr. Cooper.
In 1935 he graduated from North High, and after saving his money for a few years, enrolled at Omaha University (now UNO) in the Fall of 1938. His was part of the first class in the "new" building at 60th & Dodge Streets. While there he sang in the choir and participated in the first modern dance class at the university, which was pictured in Life magazine as an innovative university study. He was a veteran of World War II.
He was married to Mary Jane Adams August 31, 1941. Their children are: Tom (Earl Thomas, Jr.), Volunteer Coordinator and Activities Assistant at New Cassel Retirement Center, Choral Director at First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs, IA, and long-time member of the chorus of Opera Omaha; Michael, a Presbyterian minister, is married to Suzane Jones. Michael serves a three church parish in Southwest Iowa, where he has been the pastor for twenty-four years. Suzane is an artist and church organist, and she and Mike are active in the Grist Mill Fine Arts Council, a community theater group. Cynthia, Earl and Mary Jane's only daughter, is pastor of two Presbyterian churches in the Finger Lakes region of New York: Hector and Lodi. She has maintained her interest in music and drama. William is married to Gretchen Heizer Harvey, and they have two children, Kaitlin and Bob, of whom their Grandpa Earl was justly proud. Gretchen and Bill are both attorneys, and are active in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where Bill serves on the Chapter. Bill is also a member of the chorus of Opera Omaha.
Music has always been a high priority in the Harvey family, thanks in large measure to Earl's lifelong dedication. He sang in church choirs for nearly seventy years, his strong baritone singling him out as a soloist and section leader. He also directed choirs in several churches.
In addition to his active participation in church music, he was always a lay leader in any church to which he belonged. He taught children, youth, and adults in church school, was elected an elder before he was thirty years old, and served on Presbytery and Synod committees, as well as the National Council of what was then United Presbyterian Men in the sixties. One of the committees on which he served selected and purchased the land on which Camp Calvin Crest now stands. Earl also served as President of the Minne Lusa PTA, and was a life member of the Nebraska State PTA. Other boards on which he served included Clark Jeary Manor in Lincoln, and the Creche in Omaha.
Earl's career encompassed a lifelong talent for salesmanship, public relations, and compassion for people who were among the least, the lost, and the lonely. He and Mary Jane operated Professional Hearing Aid Service in the Barker Building at 15th and Farnam for over twenty years. After closing the hearing aid business, he went to work for the City of Omaha's Comprehensive Manpower Program, which later became the Comprehensive Employment Training Agency, or CETA. He served as Chair of the Presbytery of Omaha's Commission on Church and Race, when it was not a popular cause. He chaired the Self-Development of People Committee of the old Nebraska Synod, and was a friend and co-worker of three moderators of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, William Thompson, John Conner, and Clinton Marsh. Earl was a lifelong advocate of peacemaking and non-violence, and was proud to be classed as a "liberal". Just prior to his retirement he was Director of Human Services for the Easter Nebraska Office on Aging, where he started a number of innovative programs which are still in existence.
He is also remembered for his love of plants and flowers, and in retirement had a collection of exotic plants housed in two hobby greenhouses. His other hobby was antiques and "old stuff". He was knowledgeable about early American and Victorian glass and china, as well as antique furnishings. He and Mary Jane also collected art work and jewelry from Native American artists.
Earl was interested in learning throughout his life. He took classes at the university off and on for many years. Upon his retirement, he went back to school again. He enrolled in classes in Gerontology at UNO and studied about getting "old". He also joined the University Chorus, and, with his son Bill, sang for the university's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1983. That's right, he sang in the choir at the university in the thirties and in the eighties. His study of gerontology and his experience at the Office on Aging led to his being invited to teach a class on retirement, with his friend Jim Thorson, at the National Presbyterian Study Center at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Earl took great pride in the fact that all four of his children attained graduate degrees, and, until his last illness, supported their accomplishments by his attendance at their many musical and career achievements. He wasn't crazy about opera, but for the sake of his sons, he suffered through a lot of them.
Last, but certainly not the least of his interests, was his thirty-two year devotion to Big Red Football. He attended most home games during that span, including one or two just last season. He and Mary Jane also attended several bowl games over the years.
Earl Harvey lived a long, full, and happy life. Like most of us, he had good times and bad times, dreams and disappointments, high moments and heartaches. Through it all, he remained devoted to the church of Jesus Christ, to people less fortunate than himself, and to his family. Jim Thorson said recently, "The world is a better place because Earl Harvey was here." Let us hope that, when the time comes, the same may be said for each of us. One could not have a greater aspiration.
Earl Thomas Harvey was born July 23, 1917, in South Omaha, Nebraska, the eldest son of Ernest C. and Ruth Clara Hodgson Harvey. He grew up in a family which was very active in Fairview Presbyterian Church at 42nd and Pratt Streets. He attended Clifton Hill Elementary School and North High School. While he was a voice student of the late Mary Silver at North, she sent him to sing in the choir at Dundee Presbyterian Church where Harry Cooper, a former New York voice coach, was the choir director. Earl studied voice for several years with Mr. Cooper.
In 1935 he graduated from North High, and after saving his money for a few years, enrolled at Omaha University (now UNO) in the Fall of 1938. His was part of the first class in the "new" building at 60th & Dodge Streets. While there he sang in the choir and participated in the first modern dance class at the university, which was pictured in Life magazine as an innovative university study. He was a veteran of World War II.
He was married to Mary Jane Adams August 31, 1941. Their children are: Tom (Earl Thomas, Jr.), Volunteer Coordinator and Activities Assistant at New Cassel Retirement Center, Choral Director at First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs, IA, and long-time member of the chorus of Opera Omaha; Michael, a Presbyterian minister, is married to Suzane Jones. Michael serves a three church parish in Southwest Iowa, where he has been the pastor for twenty-four years. Suzane is an artist and church organist, and she and Mike are active in the Grist Mill Fine Arts Council, a community theater group. Cynthia, Earl and Mary Jane's only daughter, is pastor of two Presbyterian churches in the Finger Lakes region of New York: Hector and Lodi. She has maintained her interest in music and drama. William is married to Gretchen Heizer Harvey, and they have two children, Kaitlin and Bob, of whom their Grandpa Earl was justly proud. Gretchen and Bill are both attorneys, and are active in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where Bill serves on the Chapter. Bill is also a member of the chorus of Opera Omaha.
Music has always been a high priority in the Harvey family, thanks in large measure to Earl's lifelong dedication. He sang in church choirs for nearly seventy years, his strong baritone singling him out as a soloist and section leader. He also directed choirs in several churches.
In addition to his active participation in church music, he was always a lay leader in any church to which he belonged. He taught children, youth, and adults in church school, was elected an elder before he was thirty years old, and served on Presbytery and Synod committees, as well as the National Council of what was then United Presbyterian Men in the sixties. One of the committees on which he served selected and purchased the land on which Camp Calvin Crest now stands. Earl also served as President of the Minne Lusa PTA, and was a life member of the Nebraska State PTA. Other boards on which he served included Clark Jeary Manor in Lincoln, and the Creche in Omaha.
Earl's career encompassed a lifelong talent for salesmanship, public relations, and compassion for people who were among the least, the lost, and the lonely. He and Mary Jane operated Professional Hearing Aid Service in the Barker Building at 15th and Farnam for over twenty years. After closing the hearing aid business, he went to work for the City of Omaha's Comprehensive Manpower Program, which later became the Comprehensive Employment Training Agency, or CETA. He served as Chair of the Presbytery of Omaha's Commission on Church and Race, when it was not a popular cause. He chaired the Self-Development of People Committee of the old Nebraska Synod, and was a friend and co-worker of three moderators of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, William Thompson, John Conner, and Clinton Marsh. Earl was a lifelong advocate of peacemaking and non-violence, and was proud to be classed as a "liberal". Just prior to his retirement he was Director of Human Services for the Easter Nebraska Office on Aging, where he started a number of innovative programs which are still in existence.
He is also remembered for his love of plants and flowers, and in retirement had a collection of exotic plants housed in two hobby greenhouses. His other hobby was antiques and "old stuff". He was knowledgeable about early American and Victorian glass and china, as well as antique furnishings. He and Mary Jane also collected art work and jewelry from Native American artists.
Earl was interested in learning throughout his life. He took classes at the university off and on for many years. Upon his retirement, he went back to school again. He enrolled in classes in Gerontology at UNO and studied about getting "old". He also joined the University Chorus, and, with his son Bill, sang for the university's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1983. That's right, he sang in the choir at the university in the thirties and in the eighties. His study of gerontology and his experience at the Office on Aging led to his being invited to teach a class on retirement, with his friend Jim Thorson, at the National Presbyterian Study Center at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Earl took great pride in the fact that all four of his children attained graduate degrees, and, until his last illness, supported their accomplishments by his attendance at their many musical and career achievements. He wasn't crazy about opera, but for the sake of his sons, he suffered through a lot of them.
Last, but certainly not the least of his interests, was his thirty-two year devotion to Big Red Football. He attended most home games during that span, including one or two just last season. He and Mary Jane also attended several bowl games over the years.
Earl Harvey lived a long, full, and happy life. Like most of us, he had good times and bad times, dreams and disappointments, high moments and heartaches. Through it all, he remained devoted to the church of Jesus Christ, to people less fortunate than himself, and to his family. Jim Thorson said recently, "The world is a better place because Earl Harvey was here." Let us hope that, when the time comes, the same may be said for each of us. One could not have a greater aspiration.
[This Eulogy was written by Earl Thomas Harvey Jr. (Tom) and delivered by him at Earl Harvey's Memorial Service in 1999]:
Earl Thomas Harvey was born July 23, 1917, in South Omaha, Nebraska, the eldest son of Ernest C. and Ruth Clara Hodgson Harvey. He grew up in a family which was very active in Fairview Presbyterian Church at 42nd and Pratt Streets. He attended Clifton Hill Elementary School and North High School. While he was a voice student of the late Mary Silver at North, she sent him to sing in the choir at Dundee Presbyterian Church where Harry Cooper, a former New York voice coach, was the choir director. Earl studied voice for several years with Mr. Cooper.
In 1935 he graduated from North High, and after saving his money for a few years, enrolled at Omaha University (now UNO) in the Fall of 1938. His was part of the first class in the "new" building at 60th & Dodge Streets. While there he sang in the choir and participated in the first modern dance class at the university, which was pictured in Life magazine as an innovative university study. He was a veteran of World War II.
He was married to Mary Jane Adams August 31, 1941. Their children are: Tom (Earl Thomas, Jr.), Volunteer Coordinator and Activities Assistant at New Cassel Retirement Center, Choral Director at First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs, IA, and long-time member of the chorus of Opera Omaha; Michael, a Presbyterian minister, is married to Suzane Jones. Michael serves a three church parish in Southwest Iowa, where he has been the pastor for twenty-four years. Suzane is an artist and church organist, and she and Mike are active in the Grist Mill Fine Arts Council, a community theater group. Cynthia, Earl and Mary Jane's only daughter, is pastor of two Presbyterian churches in the Finger Lakes region of New York: Hector and Lodi. She has maintained her interest in music and drama. William is married to Gretchen Heizer Harvey, and they have two children, Kaitlin and Bob, of whom their Grandpa Earl was justly proud. Gretchen and Bill are both attorneys, and are active in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where Bill serves on the Chapter. Bill is also a member of the chorus of Opera Omaha.
Music has always been a high priority in the Harvey family, thanks in large measure to Earl's lifelong dedication. He sang in church choirs for nearly seventy years, his strong baritone singling him out as a soloist and section leader. He also directed choirs in several churches.
In addition to his active participation in church music, he was always a lay leader in any church to which he belonged. He taught children, youth, and adults in church school, was elected an elder before he was thirty years old, and served on Presbytery and Synod committees, as well as the National Council of what was then United Presbyterian Men in the sixties. One of the committees on which he served selected and purchased the land on which Camp Calvin Crest now stands. Earl also served as President of the Minne Lusa PTA, and was a life member of the Nebraska State PTA. Other boards on which he served included Clark Jeary Manor in Lincoln, and the Creche in Omaha.
Earl's career encompassed a lifelong talent for salesmanship, public relations, and compassion for people who were among the least, the lost, and the lonely. He and Mary Jane operated Professional Hearing Aid Service in the Barker Building at 15th and Farnam for over twenty years. After closing the hearing aid business, he went to work for the City of Omaha's Comprehensive Manpower Program, which later became the Comprehensive Employment Training Agency, or CETA. He served as Chair of the Presbytery of Omaha's Commission on Church and Race, when it was not a popular cause. He chaired the Self-Development of People Committee of the old Nebraska Synod, and was a friend and co-worker of three moderators of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, William Thompson, John Conner, and Clinton Marsh. Earl was a lifelong advocate of peacemaking and non-violence, and was proud to be classed as a "liberal". Just prior to his retirement he was Director of Human Services for the Easter Nebraska Office on Aging, where he started a number of innovative programs which are still in existence.
He is also remembered for his love of plants and flowers, and in retirement had a collection of exotic plants housed in two hobby greenhouses. His other hobby was antiques and "old stuff". He was knowledgeable about early American and Victorian glass and china, as well as antique furnishings. He and Mary Jane also collected art work and jewelry from Native American artists.
Earl was interested in learning throughout his life. He took classes at the university off and on for many years. Upon his retirement, he went back to school again. He enrolled in classes in Gerontology at UNO and studied about getting "old". He also joined the University Chorus, and, with his son Bill, sang for the university's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1983. That's right, he sang in the choir at the university in the thirties and in the eighties. His study of gerontology and his experience at the Office on Aging led to his being invited to teach a class on retirement, with his friend Jim Thorson, at the National Presbyterian Study Center at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Earl took great pride in the fact that all four of his children attained graduate degrees, and, until his last illness, supported their accomplishments by his attendance at their many musical and career achievements. He wasn't crazy about opera, but for the sake of his sons, he suffered through a lot of them.
Last, but certainly not the least of his interests, was his thirty-two year devotion to Big Red Football. He attended most home games during that span, including one or two just last season. He and Mary Jane also attended several bowl games over the years.
Earl Harvey lived a long, full, and happy life. Like most of us, he had good times and bad times, dreams and disappointments, high moments and heartaches. Through it all, he remained devoted to the church of Jesus Christ, to people less fortunate than himself, and to his family. Jim Thorson said recently, "The world is a better place because Earl Harvey was here." Let us hope that, when the time comes, the same may be said for each of us. One could not have a greater aspiration.
Earl Thomas Harvey was born July 23, 1917, in South Omaha, Nebraska, the eldest son of Ernest C. and Ruth Clara Hodgson Harvey. He grew up in a family which was very active in Fairview Presbyterian Church at 42nd and Pratt Streets. He attended Clifton Hill Elementary School and North High School. While he was a voice student of the late Mary Silver at North, she sent him to sing in the choir at Dundee Presbyterian Church where Harry Cooper, a former New York voice coach, was the choir director. Earl studied voice for several years with Mr. Cooper.
In 1935 he graduated from North High, and after saving his money for a few years, enrolled at Omaha University (now UNO) in the Fall of 1938. His was part of the first class in the "new" building at 60th & Dodge Streets. While there he sang in the choir and participated in the first modern dance class at the university, which was pictured in Life magazine as an innovative university study. He was a veteran of World War II.
He was married to Mary Jane Adams August 31, 1941. Their children are: Tom (Earl Thomas, Jr.), Volunteer Coordinator and Activities Assistant at New Cassel Retirement Center, Choral Director at First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs, IA, and long-time member of the chorus of Opera Omaha; Michael, a Presbyterian minister, is married to Suzane Jones. Michael serves a three church parish in Southwest Iowa, where he has been the pastor for twenty-four years. Suzane is an artist and church organist, and she and Mike are active in the Grist Mill Fine Arts Council, a community theater group. Cynthia, Earl and Mary Jane's only daughter, is pastor of two Presbyterian churches in the Finger Lakes region of New York: Hector and Lodi. She has maintained her interest in music and drama. William is married to Gretchen Heizer Harvey, and they have two children, Kaitlin and Bob, of whom their Grandpa Earl was justly proud. Gretchen and Bill are both attorneys, and are active in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where Bill serves on the Chapter. Bill is also a member of the chorus of Opera Omaha.
Music has always been a high priority in the Harvey family, thanks in large measure to Earl's lifelong dedication. He sang in church choirs for nearly seventy years, his strong baritone singling him out as a soloist and section leader. He also directed choirs in several churches.
In addition to his active participation in church music, he was always a lay leader in any church to which he belonged. He taught children, youth, and adults in church school, was elected an elder before he was thirty years old, and served on Presbytery and Synod committees, as well as the National Council of what was then United Presbyterian Men in the sixties. One of the committees on which he served selected and purchased the land on which Camp Calvin Crest now stands. Earl also served as President of the Minne Lusa PTA, and was a life member of the Nebraska State PTA. Other boards on which he served included Clark Jeary Manor in Lincoln, and the Creche in Omaha.
Earl's career encompassed a lifelong talent for salesmanship, public relations, and compassion for people who were among the least, the lost, and the lonely. He and Mary Jane operated Professional Hearing Aid Service in the Barker Building at 15th and Farnam for over twenty years. After closing the hearing aid business, he went to work for the City of Omaha's Comprehensive Manpower Program, which later became the Comprehensive Employment Training Agency, or CETA. He served as Chair of the Presbytery of Omaha's Commission on Church and Race, when it was not a popular cause. He chaired the Self-Development of People Committee of the old Nebraska Synod, and was a friend and co-worker of three moderators of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, William Thompson, John Conner, and Clinton Marsh. Earl was a lifelong advocate of peacemaking and non-violence, and was proud to be classed as a "liberal". Just prior to his retirement he was Director of Human Services for the Easter Nebraska Office on Aging, where he started a number of innovative programs which are still in existence.
He is also remembered for his love of plants and flowers, and in retirement had a collection of exotic plants housed in two hobby greenhouses. His other hobby was antiques and "old stuff". He was knowledgeable about early American and Victorian glass and china, as well as antique furnishings. He and Mary Jane also collected art work and jewelry from Native American artists.
Earl was interested in learning throughout his life. He took classes at the university off and on for many years. Upon his retirement, he went back to school again. He enrolled in classes in Gerontology at UNO and studied about getting "old". He also joined the University Chorus, and, with his son Bill, sang for the university's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1983. That's right, he sang in the choir at the university in the thirties and in the eighties. His study of gerontology and his experience at the Office on Aging led to his being invited to teach a class on retirement, with his friend Jim Thorson, at the National Presbyterian Study Center at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Earl took great pride in the fact that all four of his children attained graduate degrees, and, until his last illness, supported their accomplishments by his attendance at their many musical and career achievements. He wasn't crazy about opera, but for the sake of his sons, he suffered through a lot of them.
Last, but certainly not the least of his interests, was his thirty-two year devotion to Big Red Football. He attended most home games during that span, including one or two just last season. He and Mary Jane also attended several bowl games over the years.
Earl Harvey lived a long, full, and happy life. Like most of us, he had good times and bad times, dreams and disappointments, high moments and heartaches. Through it all, he remained devoted to the church of Jesus Christ, to people less fortunate than himself, and to his family. Jim Thorson said recently, "The world is a better place because Earl Harvey was here." Let us hope that, when the time comes, the same may be said for each of us. One could not have a greater aspiration.
Inscription
Harvey
Earl T.
July 23, 1917
August 30, 1999
Family Members
Siblings
