Harry A. Kolkmann

Harry Allan Kolkmann was born February 17, 1937, in Oakland, CA to Robert and Edythe (Blake) Kolkmann, His siblings were older brother Oliver and younger siblings Joyce and Bradford who preceded him in death.

Harry grew up in San Leandro, CA. After high school, he attended San Francisco City College and then the University of California Berkeley School of Forestry, graduating in June of 1959.   

Harry married (Roberta) Kaye Holland of Livingston, MT May 31, 1959, at East Oakland Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was drafted into the Army and completed basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. As a non-combatant soldier, Harry was trained as a medic. He worked as an Operating Room Tech after transferring to Fort Ord Army Base in Monterey, CA. Following his honorable discharge, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Fawn Skin, CA and then Placerville, CA where son Jeffrey Allan was born August 31, 1962. Harry was then transferred by the Forest Service to Bishop, CA. He ultimately decided to enter the medical field and the family moved to La Sierra, CA for Harry to take Pre-med courses at La Sierra College. After thoughtful conversations with family, Harry decided to depart medical school, opting to secure a Medical Technology License at San Bernardino County Hospital. Harry and Kaye had enough of the city life and the family moved to Susanville, CA where Harry owned and operated Lassen Medical Lab. Son Arleigh Todd was born there on March 7, 1969, and daughter Amy Eileen followed on May 28, 1971. The family loved living in north-eastern California, however, decided to move to Modesto, then Ceres, CA in 1977 so their children could attend private church school. They graduated all three children from Modesto Adventist Academy. Harry worked at Patterson Hospital for a short time before securing full-time work at Memorial Hospital South in Ceres and Memorial Hospital North in Modesto. He also worked many years at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, CA and often took extra shifts at the hospital in Placerville.

Harry and the family suffered a tragic loss on November 13, 1992, when son Arleigh was killed in a motorcycle accident in Angwin, CA at which time he had been attending Pacific Union College pre-dental school.

Harry loved being in the mountains, especially the High Sierra. He also loved family get-togethers, church related activities, canoeing, biking and reviewing family genealogy and history. Harry lettered in Track in high school. He often did solo back-packing trips on his days off from work. He once did a multiple day solo trek in the 1990's, hiking 155 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in one go. He was intentional about caring for the great outdoors, taking his children and their friends on many backpack trips that has left them with fond memories of places such as Hetch Hetchy, the Minarets, Yosemite, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Mt. Whitney among others. After retiring to Montana in 2005, Harry would venture out on solo hikes up Black Mountain, Mt. Baldy, Pine Creek Lake, and more. Always up for a trip in the great outdoors, he often would intentionally go off trail to "see things others don't get to see." He passed this passion to his kids. His favorite color was green from all the trees and grassy meadows; he absolutely loved the rugged mountain peaks above tree line.

Never without a frisbee, Harry once pulled one out of his pack after summiting Half Dome with daughter Amy and friends, gaining a gasp from onlookers at the risk of what could happen! Dad had a dry sense of humor and loved to get a chuckle from folks for doing things a little out of the ordinary in his quiet, unassuming way. One time, while traveling through Battle Mountain, NV, Harry found himself, the family and Aunt Margie in a dilemma: a parade was in progress on the main thoroughfare. Surveying the options, Harry decided to borrow his kids' duck bill mask, put it on himself, rolled the window down and began waving to onlookers as he joined the parade. This was the quickest way to get on with the journey and have a little fun at the same time!

One time, Amy recalls asking Dad if she could go to her friend's house to play the game of "Life." Harry responded, "We're playing the game of life right here" and proceeded to show her and Arleigh where they next needed to weed!

Harry was a favorite of his cousins, nephews and nieces due to his quiet sense of humor, funny antics and ability to make things fun in ordinary situations.

Dad could pack a car and trunk like a puzzle, with greatest efficiency. He was very methodical and careful in all his doings.

When hiking with others, Dad never left people behind. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, always putting others before himself.

As a father, Dad was always someone whom you could rationally discuss questions or concerns with respect and patience. He faithfully helped with homework, especially enjoying math and science. He faithfully loved and cared for his wife, Kaye. He believed every person had inestimable value, and when meeting him, one felt valued and important. Uncle Randy describes Harry as "an angel on this earth." Dad truly loved others as Christ did. He will be missed for a time beyond measure, and we look forward to reuniting with him in the earth made new.

Thanks Dad, for giving us such a beautiful picture of our Heavenly Father in the way you loved us and lived your life.