Former Humboldt County District 2 Supervisor Harry Pritchard passed away on July 12, at the age of 81 after a short illness. He was born in Little River, Calif., on May 3, 1927. His parents, Fred and Gladys Pritchard were lifelong California residents and instilled in Harry a strong work ethic as well as commitment to his community and a love of local history that lasted his entire life and he shared with everyone near him. Harry attended schools in both Fort Bragg and Mendocino, graduating from Mendocino High in 1945. While a student, Harry began working for Macy Leak delivering ice, soda, and beer to local bars and honky tonks from Rock Port to Albion on the Mendocino Coast. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a tank driver. He was sent to Korea where he served his country from 1945-1947.

In 1947 he began working from the Union Lumber Company in Fort Bragg, Calif., in their woods division. He worked at Camp 2, 10 Mile in the repair shop. While there, he became involved in the Company’s fire suppression activities. Six years later, he started working for the California Division of Forestry, now CAL FIRE. He was stationed at Mendocino Woodlands and at Fort Bragg. In 1958 he was promoted to the position of Battalion Chief at the Weott Fire station in Humboldt County. He fought many wild land fires through out California during his tenure with CAL FIRE.

In the fall of 1957 he married Margaret Brinzing of Pine Grove, a third grade teacher at Fort Bragg Elementary. After moving to Weott, they had two daughters, Karen and Susan. Margaret then worked for Southern Humboldt Unified, for many years as the Kindergarten Teacher at Agnes Johnson Elementary in Weott. Harry was very involved in supporting the local community not only with his actives as Battalion Chief but also with Civil Defense. He was instrumental in the rescuing and organization of the support of the community of Weott during the 1964 flood. He was the Weott Operational Area Civil Defense Coordinator and Director from 1967-1977.

Harry also became involved in the Weott Community Services District at this time and was involved in the Weott Water services for many years. He also served as Fire Chief for the Weott Volunteer Fire Department. While Fire Chief in Weott, he was also president of the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association. He also was a member and past president of the Weott American Legion and of the California State Employees Association. While Karen and Susan were in the 4-H he served as a Leadership Advisor. He later served on the 4-H Scholarship committee. He was also active in the Garberville Masonic Lodge and the Redwood Empire Assembly for Rainbow Girls. He was a past master of the lodge and a member of the Scottish Rite.

In 1976 Harry ran for the Board of Supervisors and was elected in the fall of that year. He served on the Board of Supervisors for 16 years. While on the Board he served as Chairman and worked on many county, state, and national committees. He represented Humboldt County to the National Association of County Governments and was elected president of the Western Interstate Region of NACO. In 1992 he was recognized by the NACO with the National Association of Counties Public Lands Dale Sowards Award. He also served on the Redwood Empire Association, Highway 36 Improvement Committee and California Association of Governments. During his 16 years on the board Harry worked hard to improve local roads.

Following his retirement in 1992, Harry became involved in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitors Center. He worked first as a volunteer, and later on the Board of Directors. In 2000 he was elected president to the board, a position he has held since that time. He was instrumental in seeing the Visitors Center expanded and in housing the Kellogg Log exhibit. He was also instrumental in establishing an exhibit on the split products industry. Harry enjoyed working with the staff and volunteers at the park as well as telling visitors about the redwoods. In 2004 Harry moved to Fortuna, where he soon became active in the local Parks and Recreation Department. In 2006 he was appointed by the Fortuna City Council to the Parks Commission, and in 2008 he was elected Chairman of that commission. During all of his time in Humboldt County Harry was involved with the various local Fire Departments, as well as the Department of Forestry. He served as an advisor to the Rio Dell Fire Department and worked with many other local fire departments. He was even hired as a local consultant during the Lightening Fires of 2002 by CAL FIRE. Perhaps one of Harry’s greatest accolades was given to him by the Fortuna Fire Department in 2008 when they recognized him as their Fire Citizen of the Year. It was recognition for all of the years of support of the Fortuna Fire Department, as well as other departments during his lifetime.

Harry is preceded in death by his wife Margaret Brinzing Pritchard and his mother and father, Fred and Gladys Pritchard. He was also preceded by his sister-in-laws May Smith and Ruth Berglund. He is survived by his brother Jim Pritchard and wife Melba of Eureka, daughter Karen and her husband Ken Nichols of Alderpoint and their children Kimberly and Kevin and his other daughter Susan and her husband John Micheal O’Hara of Fortuna. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many friends who have brightened his last days. The family would also like to thank Hospice of Humboldt and Dr. Baird and his office for their help. Please join us in celebrating Harry’s life and devotion to his community at a Fireman’s Funeral at the Fortuna Fire Department on Friday, July 18, 2008, at 2 p.m. A fireman to the end, Harry asked that contributions be made to the Fire Department of your choice in his memory.

Arrangements are under the care of Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary.