Obituaries

Monica Herrera Carter, May 27 Harry Wugalter, 90, June 6

Harry Wugalter, 90, of Green Valley, Arizona passed away in his home on June 6, 2018. He was born on October 12, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey.

Harry joined the Marines just after starting his senior year in high school at the age of 17. A Marine in World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War in North China. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He subsequently served as the 1st Sgt of the 57th Special Infantry Company (4th Reconnaissance) of the New Mexico Marine Reserves in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was a member of the Green Valley Marine Corps League. Harry went on the Honor Flight of Southern Arizona in April 2014.

After being discharged from the WW II conflict Harry moved to Albuquerque and he initially obtained a BA in Education from the University of New Mexico. He subsequently obtained a Masters Degree in Education from the University of New Mexico.

Harry met the love of his life, Cherrill Ann Kindsvater, in 1950 and they were married on January 6, 1951. Harry started out in his professional life as a school teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He then moved to a position as Business Manager for the Grants School District. Harry and Cherrill moved to Santa Fe New Mexico in 1962 where Harry joined the Public School Finance Division where he was instrumental in the development of formulas that served public schools and higher education. He felt that his major achievement in education was winning the US Supreme Court case - Wugalter versus Los Alamos which opened the door to equalization of funding for public schools. He was appointed Secretary of Education Finance and Cultural Affairs by Governor Jerry Apodaca. He served six governors and retired from state government in 1978 to enter private industry.

Harry and Cherrill moved to Ventura, California where Harry served as the Director of University Relations and Research Assessment at the Rockwell International Science Center for fourteen years. He had the opportunity to travel internationally on business and my mother loved accompanying him on these trips.

He and Cherrill moved to Green Valley, AZ after retiring from Rockwell International in 1993. They loved Green Valley and everything that it offered. Harry took many classes at SAGE which subsequently was replaced by OLLI. He also taught a number of courses at both SAGE and OLLI and most enjoyed teaching his class about Navajo Code Talkers. He felt that he was very fortunate to have worked directly along side the Code Talkers while he was in the Reserves in New Mexico.

Harry lived a very full life and touched many people. He loved his country, its history, and the Marines. Harry is survived by his daughter, Julie Zeilenga of Green Valley and her husband Jay. He was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Feller Wugalter, and his only brother Sid Wugalter. Cherrill, the love of his life, passed away in May 2006. He will be missed.

Donations may be made to the Disabled Veteran’s Association of America and to the Honor Flight of Southern Arizona.

Harry will be interred at a private military ceremony at the Santa Fe New Mexico National Cemetery in the fall. He and Cherrill will be together again forever.