HARRY WUGALTER Harry Wugalter, 90, of Green Valley, Arizona passed away in his home on June 6, 2018. He was born on October 12, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey. Harry joined the Marines just after starting his senior year in high school at the age of 17. A Marine in World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War in North China. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He subsequently served as the 1st Sgt of the 57th Special Infantry Company (4th Reconnaissance) of the New Mexico Marine Reserves in Albuquerque, New Mexico and was a member of the Green Valley Marine Corps League. Harry went on the Honor Flight of Southern Arizona in April 2014. After being discharged from the WW II conflict Harry moved to Albuquerque and he initially obtained a BA in Education from the University of New Mexico. He subsequently obtained a Masters Degree in Education from the University of New Mexico. Harry met the love of his life, Cherrill Ann Kindsvater, in 1950 and they were married on January 6, 1951. Harry started out in his professional life as a school teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He then moved to a position as Business Manager for the Grants School District. Harry and Cherrill moved to Santa Fe New Mexico in 1962 where Harry joined the Public School Finance Division where he was instrumental in the development of formulas that served public schools and higher education. He felt that his major achievement in education was winning the US Supreme Court case - Wugalter versus Los Alamos which opened the door to equalization of funding for public schools. He was appointed Secretary of Education Finance and Cultural Affairs by Governor Jerry Apodaca. He served six governors and retired from state government in 1978 to enter private industry. Harry and Cherrill moved to Ventura, California where Harry served as the Director of University Relations and Research Assessment at the Rockwell International Science Center for fourteen years. He had the opportunity to travel internationally on business and my mother loved accompanying him on these trips. He and Cherrill moved to Green Valley, AZ after retiring from Rockwell International in 1993. They loved Green Valley and everything that it offered. Harry took many classes at SAGE which subsequently was replaced by OLLI. He also taught a number of courses at both SAGE and OLLI and most enjoyed teaching his class about Navajo Code Talkers. He felt that he was very fortunate to have worked directly along side the Code Talkers while he was in the Reserves in New Mexico. Harry lived a very full life and touched many people. He loved his country, its history, and the Marines. Harry is survived by his daughter, Julie Zeilenga of Green Valley and her husband Jay. He was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Feller Wugalter, and his only brother Sid Wugalter. Cherrill, the love of his life, passed away in May 2006. He will be missed. Donations may be made to the Disabled Veteran's Association of America and to the Honor Flight of Southern Arizona. Harry will be interred at a private military ceremony at the Santa Fe New Mexico National Cemetery in the fall. He and Cherrill will be together again forever.
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I had the pleasure and honor of knowing Harry. Harry was always a gentleman and kind hearted man never once talking about his accomplishments after World War II. I met Harry where I worked part time at Walmart in Sahurita. He was a true hero surviving probably one of the most fierce, and costly battles the United States ever had the invasion of Guadalcanal. We as a society would never have had the freedoms that we have today if it weren't for the those who ultimately gave their lives to winning the war. Harry would always brighten my day when I would see Harry coming around the corner into the Pharmacy area where I used to work. We talked about almost everything as I took him around to the places where he would find what he was looking for. I could say we will miss Harry but Harry is always with us - along with all of our dear ones that have passed on to the other side which truly exists. My father Forest Sheldon was one of seven brothers who served during World War II, and Korean War. The Marines of World War II caliber were a very different and unique breed of man. They had nerves of steel.
Peter Sheldon
July 4, 2018
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