Harry Arthur Hartung, 71

Harry Arthur Hartung, 71, died on Nov. 14, 2017 from cancer on Vashon Island, Wash., surrounded by family and friends.

Mr. Hartung was born May 9, 1946, in Fairbanks, Alaska. His family moved from Fairbanks, to Sutton, then permanently settling in Palmer in the early 1950s. Harry graduated from Palmer High School and the University of Idaho, attaining a Bachelor of Science civil engineering degree and an engineering-in-training certificate in 1971.

Harry’s recent employment was with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Palmer, Alaska, as a seasonal right of way inspector. During his 46 years of construction /development career, he spent 17 years working with two engineering consulting firms: USKH Consultants and Dowl Engineers. Harry’s personal developments with partners included eight subdivision developments and two commercial project lot developments in Sandpoint: ABC Daycare, Sandpoint West Athletic Club, Sandpoint Title Company and Ivano’s Ristorante.

Harry was a lifetime member of the Palmer Alaska Elks Lodge No. 1852, a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Harry enjoyed traveling around the U.S. to visit family, cousins and friends. He will be missed by his family as well as the many young folks he mentored.

Harry Hartung’s father and mother, Norman A. and Teresa Hartung, preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter, Janelle Harvitt-Hartung; his sisters, Carol A. Stewart and Patricia Hartung; his uncle Patrick O’Neill and his best friend, Debby McCormick. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends across Alaska and the U.S. survive him.

Instead of flowers, Harry would hope that those who remember him will do an unexpected act of kindness for someone less fortunate.

There will be a celebration of life service in the spring of 2018 when his ashes are returned to his beloved Alaska and interred in the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.