Henry B. Kistler “Harry”

1922-2021

Our family has lost its cherished patriarch at the grand age of 98. He was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather yet so much more.

Reflecting on his life, Harry often said, “I don’t know how one person can be so lucky.”

Harry attended the Le Rosey school in Switzerland, Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, and had just started his freshman year at Yale when World War II broke out. During the war, he served as a submariner in the Pacific. After the war ended, Harry resumed his studies at Yale, playing hockey and earning an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, followed by a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

In 1949, Harry joined the Bechtel Corporation where he spent his entire 37-year professional career in a variety of positions including Project Engineer and Project Manager in the Engineering, Business Development, and Project Management departments. His work took him to Kuwait and other countries around the globe.

Harry inherited a true love of sports from his father, an All-American football player in college. Harry loved skiing and spending time in the mountains. As a young father, he taught all his children how to ski on the slopes around Lake Tahoe. If snow had fallen the night before, he would rally the whole family to be up before dawn to be on the first chair and the chance to make fresh tracks in the new snow. Harry skied well into his 70s. His tradition of making the “first chair” has been passed on to his children and their families.

Harry also loved to play golf and would often take his children out at sunrise so that they could be the first group on the course. He shot his age at 80.

He was also a familiar sight walking the East Bay hills for miles with his walking sticks, even in the rain, until he was in his 90s.

Above all else, Harry thrived in the company and love of his family. He married Sally Ede in 1946 and they had six children: Stephen, Henry, David, John, Lisa, and Maria. He was always a steady, guiding force in each of their lives.

Years later, Harry met and fell in love with Ardagh Marie Veitch and they married in 1971. Ardagh Marie’s three children, Blake, Roxanne, and Edward joined the large Kistler family, and Harry welcomed them with open arms. Each year, Ardagh Marie and Harry’s Christmas parties were the highlight of the holiday season for family and countless friends over several decades.

Harry’s upbeat, positive personality was infectious and won everyone over. His winning smile, hearty laugh, strong hugs, powerful handshakes, and joy for living made everyone want to be in his presence. Predeceased by ArdaghMarie three years ago, his memory will endure in the lives of his children, his ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

It is time to say goodbye and thank you to a wellloved and well-lived man who has left us with many stories, unique sayings, and a legacy that makes us proud. When asked what advice he would give his grandchildren, Harry said, “Work hard, play hard, enjoy life but the last one after the first two.”

The family is incredibly grateful to his caregivers, Nicky and Emma, for their love, care and devotion.