Harry Sello
Mar. 20, 1921 - Apr. 4, 2017
Resident of Menlo Park
Harry Sello passed away on April 4, 2017, at age 96, with his loving wife Sheila by his side.
Born in Russia, Harry was two years of age when his family emigrated to the U.S.
In 1942 Harry graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA in Chemistry. He earned an MA (1944) and Ph.D. degrees (1948) in Physical Chemistry from the University of Missouri.
Harry proudly served in the U.S. Navy (Asia-Pacific) from 1944 to 1946.
Following his naval service, he joined Shell Development Company in 1948 as a Research Chemist.
In 1957 Harry was recruited by Nobel Prize winner, William Shockley, to work at the Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory. Harry then joined his former Shockley co-workers at Fairchild Semiconductor Research & Development, Palo Alto, in 1959. Over the next 22 years, he held a variety of executive management positions in R&D, manufacturing, and as Operations Manager of the then Fairchild affiliate, SGS Italy. For over a decade, he was in charge of implementing and managing alliances based on technology transfers and exchanges for integrated circuits and test systems. He traveled extensively throughout the world where he was able to utilize his various language skills. Harry was indeed an early 'Silicon Valley' pioneer.
During this period of time, Harry hosted a live educational science show "Tempest in a Test Tube" for 54 weeks on KQED TV. The series was shown on 30 educational PBS stations. Never one to shy away from a camera, Harry was also a highly enthusiastic auctioneer at numerous KQED yearly fundraisers.
Upon retiring from Fairchild (then Schlumberger) in 1981, Harry formed his own firm specializing in international licensing and the transfer of electronic technology.
In later years Harry was an active docent at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. He greatly enjoyed spending time there with fellow colleagues, docents and staff.
Harry had a special zest for life. He was a very outgoing and friendly person by nature. Some of his interests included travel and golf. An avid reader, Harry had a keen interest in Civil War and WWII history. He especially enjoyed reading stories by Jack London and never missed an opportunity to read or watch a good western. Even in his last months, Harry insisted upon trips to the library to check out his favorite books.
He is survived by his wife (of 37 years) Sheila, his niece Ann Burke (Tim), their children Alissa, Jack, and Amy, niece Susan Lerner (Mykl), their daughter Anya, and nephew Daniel Lerner (Kristin).
The family wishes to express their thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at Institute on Aging, Pathways Hospice, Rosener House and the Palo Alto VA.
Funeral services will be held Friday, 4/7, at 11 AM at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association., The Computer History Museum, KQED, and Rosener House Adult Day Care, Menlo Park.

View the online memorial for Harry Sello