Harold A. Aldrich

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Harold A. Aldrich, 97 of Billings, passed away on March 10, 2011, at Hanson Cottage, on the campus of St. John's Lutheran Ministries. Harold was born on January 17, 1914 in Decatur, Nebraska, the son of Carl J. and Mable (Gannon) Aldrich. His father was an attorney, farmer, newspaper publisher and banker in Rosalie, NE, and his mother taught school.

Harold spent his childhood years in Rosalie and graduated from high school in Lincoln, NE. He went on to the University of Nebraska, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1935. While in college, he played the baritone horn in the marching band. He was a life-long Cornhusker fan!

On June 13, 1936, Harold married Frances Kingsley in Lincoln, NE. This union was blessed with two children, Mary Clare and Richard. Frances died on March 25, 1998. Following her death, Harold was welcomed into the large extended family of Viola Goodale, with whom he shared a special friendship.

Harold's working career as a civil engineer began with the Nebraska Department of Roads and Irrigation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1935. In 1939, he transferred to Denver, CO where he went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation, with the Department of the Interior. His work took him from Denver, to Washington D.C., Billings, MT, Great Falls, MT and Amarillo, TX, culminating with the position of Regional Director, Region 6 (Upper Missouri) in Billings. As Regional Director, he supervised over 1,500 employees and managed multi-million dollar budgets in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Over the course of his career, he was recognized for many awards including those from East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, SD; Missouri Basin Systems Group in Denver; Eastern Montana College Foundation in Billings; State of North Dakota; Montana Water Development Association; and the Upper Missouri Water Users Association; as well as being listed in Marquis Who's Who in America.

Harold retired in 1973, but he continued to work as a private consulting engineer, and working with Energy Transportation Systems, Inc. He and Frances travelled extensively within the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. They travelled to South Korea and Brazil to visit Mary Clare and her husband Bruce who were on foreign assignments with DOW Chemical. One of their favorite trips was "cruising" the Inland Passage to Alaska, which they repeated several times. Harold and Frances hosted family and friends for their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries at the Broadmoor Resort on Colorado Springs, CO. They spent part of every summer from 1964 until Frances' death in Cooke City/Silver Gate, where they would relax and fish. They also resided in Salado, TX for a short time.

Throughout his life, Harold was an avid golfer, and was at differing times a member of the Yellowstone Country Club, Laurel Golf Club, and Hilands Golf Club. He was a skilled dry fly fisherman. Often looking with distain at his son-in-law and son who occasionally tied a "wet" fly dropper to their dry fly! He loved to read and watch TV news and sports, especially his beloved Cornhuskers.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; wife Frances; and sisters, Rachel Holmes and Dorothy Green. He leaves behind his daughter Mary Clare (Bruce) Williams of Grand Junction and Beaver Creek, CO; son Richard (Kathy) Aldrich of Billings; five grandchildren, Wade Williams of Austin, TX, Wynne (Mike) Patterson of Pocatello, ID, Amy (Tim) McAfee of Salinas, CA, Lori (Reed) Selwyn of Frederick, MD, and Sara (Chris) Pokladnik of Fridley, MN; and eight great-grandchildren, Ava, Brenna, and Kyran Patterson, Jillian Elijah, and Amelia Selwyn, and Ian and Colin McAfee.

Harold's family would like to thank the staff at Langemo and Hanson Cottages at St. John's Lutheran Ministries for their kind and loving care during Dad's final months.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, March 19, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary with interment in the columbarium at Terrace Gardens.

Memorials may be made in Harold's name to St. John's Lutheran Ministries, 3940 Rimrock Rd., Billings, MT, 59102.

Rich and Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear of Harold’s death. I know what it is like to lose a father. He had a long, fulfilling life and raised a wonderful son.

Jim and I send our prayers.

Linda