We’re here for you throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about how we can support you during this time.

Forever in the Hearts They Leave Behind

Harold Bird Hart


Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary

Harold Bird Hart

1940-2020

Harold (Hal) Bird Hart, 80, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away peacefully on September 29th, 2020, surrounded by his family. Hal was born July 19th, 1940, in Washington, D.C., to Dorothy Bird and Harold Henry Hart. His growing up years were spent in Glencoe, Illinois. After high school, Hal’s family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. There he served in the Army National Guard of Utah as a Linguist in the 142nd Military Intelligence Company.

Hal served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the French East Mission. Upon his return, he married the love of his life, Corey Beatty, on August 24, 1964, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they had six children, 20 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Hal earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and then attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a PhD in physics. After graduation, he moved his family to Macomb, Illinois, for a job at Western Illinois University. He taught physics for 35 years and was also head of the department for the 20 of those years.

Hal was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Branch President then Bishop of the Macomb Ward. He was ordained and set apart as Bishop by Ezra Taft Benson when the Nauvoo District became the 1000th stake of the church. He spent many years serving with the youth, which he loved. He also served as a Counselor in the Stake Presidency of the Nauvoo Stake, and served as a member of the high council during the building of the Nauvoo Temple.

When Hal retired from teaching, he and Corey moved to Gilbert, Arizona. In retirement, Hal enjoyed traveling, playing tennis, doing science shows for his grandchildren, and cheering on the BYU cougars. He had a strong testimony of family history and dedicated countless hours serving his ancestors. He had a great love for music and shared that with his family. Hal was a fun, loving, and patient grandpa. He loved and was proud of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy Winslow. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Corey; his children, Chris (Wendy), Debbie (Trent), Bob (Kristina), Missy (Clark), Mike (Melissa), and Jeff (Grace); Grandchildren, Jared, Marisa (Anthony), Ian, Kayla (Brandon), Andrew, Alyssa, Tyler, Elizabeth, Rachel, Abigail, Alayna, Ben, Lauren, Samantha, Jackson, Charlotte, Quincy, Metzener, Emmett, and Emmaline; Great-Grandchildren, Ellie and Rylan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Hal’s memory to https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services or a charity of your choice.

Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary

Comments

Add Comment

5 responses to “Harold Bird Hart”

  1. Roni (Danner) Miller says:

    A family member in Macomb sent me this sad news. I adored your family from the moment I met them and I learned so much from your wonderful example. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  2. Don Powers says:

    To Hal’s Family,
    You have my sympathy with the passing of Hal. As a young science education professor at WIU Hal invited me to collaborate with him on a number of summer physics teaching grants for teachers. It was always a pleasure to work with him. He was a great role model and was truly admired and respected by all the educators with whom he worked.

  3. Chris Hart says:

    Thank you for your kind words Roni! We will miss dad, and look forward to seeing him again.

  4. Chris Hart says:

    Thank you Don. I was lucky enough to take two Engineering Physics classes from my father at WIU as a freshman. I’m probably biased, but I thought he was one of my best college professors. Appreciate your kind thoughts.

  5. Mary says:

    One of the sad things about Hal’s living in Illinois, was that I didn’t get to see him very much. I think the last time was when I saw him at is mother’s in SLC, and we played around with a tape recorder that would record more than one track. That must have been in the early 90’s. My mother, Ruth, and Hal’s mom, Dorothy, were like twins as far as their closeness to each other. Hal and Judy and his folks lived with us for most of a year when they moved west. Hal was always a favorite of mine, and I’m sorry that I won’t be able to see him again in this plane. I’d love to meet his family, though! All my best, Mary Elizabeth Parkinson Millet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Offer Condolences

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Harold Bird Hart


Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary

Harold Bird Hart

1940-2020

Harold (Hal) Bird Hart, 80, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away peacefully on September 29th, 2020, surrounded by his family. Hal was born July 19th, 1940, in Washington, D.C., to Dorothy Bird and Harold Henry Hart. His growing up years were spent in Glencoe, Illinois. After high school, Hal’s family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. There he served in the Army National Guard of Utah as a Linguist in the 142nd Military Intelligence Company.

Hal served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the French East Mission. Upon his return, he married the love of his life, Corey Beatty, on August 24, 1964, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they had six children, 20 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Hal earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and then attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a PhD in physics. After graduation, he moved his family to Macomb, Illinois, for a job at Western Illinois University. He taught physics for 35 years and was also head of the department for the 20 of those years.

Hal was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Branch President then Bishop of the Macomb Ward. He was ordained and set apart as Bishop by Ezra Taft Benson when the Nauvoo District became the 1000th stake of the church. He spent many years serving with the youth, which he loved. He also served as a Counselor in the Stake Presidency of the Nauvoo Stake, and served as a member of the high council during the building of the Nauvoo Temple.

When Hal retired from teaching, he and Corey moved to Gilbert, Arizona. In retirement, Hal enjoyed traveling, playing tennis, doing science shows for his grandchildren, and cheering on the BYU cougars. He had a strong testimony of family history and dedicated countless hours serving his ancestors. He had a great love for music and shared that with his family. Hal was a fun, loving, and patient grandpa. He loved and was proud of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy Winslow. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Corey; his children, Chris (Wendy), Debbie (Trent), Bob (Kristina), Missy (Clark), Mike (Melissa), and Jeff (Grace); Grandchildren, Jared, Marisa (Anthony), Ian, Kayla (Brandon), Andrew, Alyssa, Tyler, Elizabeth, Rachel, Abigail, Alayna, Ben, Lauren, Samantha, Jackson, Charlotte, Quincy, Metzener, Emmett, and Emmaline; Great-Grandchildren, Ellie and Rylan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Hal’s memory to https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services or a charity of your choice.

Share Obituary:

Send Flowers Print Obituary

5 responses to “Harold Bird Hart”

  1. Roni (Danner) Miller says:

    A family member in Macomb sent me this sad news. I adored your family from the moment I met them and I learned so much from your wonderful example. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  2. Don Powers says:

    To Hal’s Family,
    You have my sympathy with the passing of Hal. As a young science education professor at WIU Hal invited me to collaborate with him on a number of summer physics teaching grants for teachers. It was always a pleasure to work with him. He was a great role model and was truly admired and respected by all the educators with whom he worked.

  3. Chris Hart says:

    Thank you for your kind words Roni! We will miss dad, and look forward to seeing him again.

  4. Chris Hart says:

    Thank you Don. I was lucky enough to take two Engineering Physics classes from my father at WIU as a freshman. I’m probably biased, but I thought he was one of my best college professors. Appreciate your kind thoughts.

  5. Mary says:

    One of the sad things about Hal’s living in Illinois, was that I didn’t get to see him very much. I think the last time was when I saw him at is mother’s in SLC, and we played around with a tape recorder that would record more than one track. That must have been in the early 90’s. My mother, Ruth, and Hal’s mom, Dorothy, were like twins as far as their closeness to each other. Hal and Judy and his folks lived with us for most of a year when they moved west. Hal was always a favorite of mine, and I’m sorry that I won’t be able to see him again in this plane. I’d love to meet his family, though! All my best, Mary Elizabeth Parkinson Millet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *