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Harold "Hal" Edgar, teacher, passed away on May 26, 2005. Hal was a 53-year resident of South Pasadena. He was born on a farm in Fulton County, Ohio, on April 9, 1914. He is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Marion Edgar; son Larry (SPHS '62) of Corvallis, Oregon; brother Laurence of Northridge; and sister Helen Zimmerman of Wauseon, Ohio. He was predeceased by his son Thom (SPHS '70).
Hal taught at South Pasadena High School for 26 years, retiring in 1979. He was first hired to teach Industrial Arts (wood shop, metal shop, mechanical drawing and plastics). In 1966 he began teaching Continuation School for students who did not fit in well in regular classrooms. Thus he had to teach English, math, and other basic courses for the students to catch up with and return to their regular classes or to graduate with a GED.
Harold and Marion shared many adventures in their 61 years of marriage. They took trips to the British Isles, the Alpine region of Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, Canada, and Holland as well as visiting all 50 of the United States, visiting friends and relatives and just seeing the sights. At the age of 87 he and his son Larry, took a 3-week tour of China during which he climbed the Great Wall and visited the Forbidden City.
Having varied interests, he took an active part in numerous organizations including Kiwanis, the Pasadena Lawn Bowling Club, South Pasadena Middle League Assn., the Huntington Corral of Westerners International (a historical society), and was a long-time member of Oneonta Congregational Church in South Pasadena. In 1998 Hal was selected Senior Citizen of the Year by the South Pasadena Review.
He enjoyed taking photos of the places he visited and collected mementos such as Kachina dolls, bolo ties, and music boxes on his travels. He had a large collection of piano rolls for his player piano as well as an extensive variety of tools.
Courtesy - South Pasadena Review
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Forrest Allen (1957)
Mr. Egar was of course our beloved shop teacher. He certainly taught all of us some valuable leasons in the class rooms with a real concern for us to learn and have an understanding of the trades. I still employ a lot of his teachings to situations as they arise. Hands on work is wonderful knowledge.He also was the stage manager at the Jr. High School while we were there.
Some of you may remember he hated the nickname "Headgear" but took it in stride from all of "Us hellions".
Linda Johnson (Hernandez) (1963)
Mr. Edgar was my Algebra I teacher, which turned out to be a nightmarish class for me, through no fault of his. Coming from Los Angeles, where they had Spring and Summer graduating classes for us baby boomers, I somehow had to skip the first semester of Algebra I. Already a weak Math student, the missing foundation from first semester made for a terrible experience. Used to being a good student, (In fact I had skipped a year of Junior High School when I transferred to SPHS) I was unused to being a struggling one. After almost failing his Algebra class at one point, my perseverance and Mr. Edgar's patience and good teaching skills let me finish with a "B", one of my proudest accomplishments as a student!
Class of 1963
George Keith Ainsworth (1968)
I'M SORRY TO HEAR MR EDGAR HAS PASSED ON, HE WAS A STRONG, PATIENT, HARDWORKING TEACHER. I WAS FRIENDS WITH HIS SON TOM WHO I WILL ALSO MISS. HE HAD A LOT OF HIS DAD'S GREAT QUALITIES. WHEN I FIRST GOT MARRIED TOM HELPED ME INSTALL A GAFFLER AND SATLER GAS STOVE IN A SECOND STORY APARTMENT, UP A NARROW STAIRCASE THAT THE TWO OF US AND THE STOVE ALL WOULDN'T FIT IN . SO TOM JUST CARRIED IT UP THE STAIRS ALONE. HIS DAD HAD TAUGHT HIM AND ME AND MY BROTHER AL MANY PRACTICAL SKILLS IN SHOP THAT I STILL USE TODAY. THESE WERE SOLID PEOPLE, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.GEORGE AINSWORTH
James Stratton (1967)
Mr. Edgar the Best Teacher I ever had other then Jack Dalton and Mrs. Peyton at the Jr. High School.. RIP Hal. Helped Him Desigh His House and Made the Cardboard Model for it..