FRANKLIN – Harry Oscar Michel, 97, died June 30, 2007, at home with his family, in East Franklin. He was born May 15, 1910, in Oak-land, Calif., to German immigrant parents, Casper Michel and Clara (Thiemann) Michel. Harry’s education began in a one-room school in Mountain Ranch, Calif.; he received his Bachelor of Arts from UCBerkley, and his doctorate in biochemistry from Duke. He financed his education by sweeping factory floors and doing quadratic equations for a professor’s textbook. He served as a flight officer with the 92nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group during World War II and later, as a medical officer with an Army Reserve MASH unit. Harry moved to Baltimore and married Mary Taylor Parker in 1942 and they raised their family in Towson, Md. Harry worked as a civilian research chemist for the federal government all his working career, retiring in 1971. In 1980 he and Mary moved to Bedford, Mass., to be near their son and his family; and in 1995 they moved to East Franklin to live with their daughter’s family. Harry was active all his life, hiking in the foothills of Mount Everest in 1976 and climbing Mount Whitney in 1978. When the family was young they went on long camping trips to all parts of the country, visiting relatives on the way. He and Mary traveled and camped after his retirement, visiting Europe often and hiking in the Pyrenees and in South America. They preferred small, cheap hotels and planned their own itinerary, even if it meant sleeping in the rented car over-night. Harry was a long time member of the Mountain Club of Maryland. At the age of 95, he was still walking two miles a day and raking the mown hay into haystacks in the meadow. He was a gardener, growing vegetables, fruits and grapes from which he made his daily glass of wine. The son of a German socialist, Harry was a Democrat all his life, voting in every election until he was 96. He quietly supported liberal and environmental causes. Harry was predeceased by his wife, Mary; a son, Charles; his brothers, Frank and Charlie of San Andreas, Calif.; a brother, Walter; and his sisters, Gladys and Edna of Napa, Calif. Harry is survived by a son, Anthony of Lexington, Mass., and his wife, Terry and their two children, Joel and Sarah; a daughter, Susanne Grosjean of Franklin and her husband, Charlie and their son, Jesse and his wife, Laurel and their daughter, Jaeda, of Bangor; and their son, Carl and his wife, Brandi, of Windsor; also many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to an environmental cause of your choice.
HARRY OSCAR MICHEL
