HAROLD LAWRENCE GANO

GANO, HAROLD LAWRENCE Harold Lawrence Gano passed away peacefully on November 2, 2010 at the age of 92. Harold was the youngest of three children born to Delbert and Gertrude Jeffryes Gano of Yakima, Washington, where he entered the world on December 26, 1917. Harold enjoyed sharing stories of his youth, especially those of his horse, named "Babe." Harold enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1937 and served his county as a medic in the Hospital Corps during World War II. He was awarded the WWII Victory medal and the Good Conduct medal. After being honorably discharged in July 1946, he entered Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where he graduated in May 1950 with an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies. He then attended the University of Chicago where he graduated with an MBA in August 1954. Harold credited his military experience with providing the direction for his career in Hospital Administration which took him to Kentucky and Illinois before he answered a call to oversee the construction and early administration of El Cajon Valley Hospital in California in 1959. During the 25 years that followed, he also served as the Administrator of a local university hospital, oversaw the construction and administration of Alvarado Hospital in the 1970's and is credited with finding the funding to keep open a failing Saddleback Hospital in Laguna Hills. "I often thought of how much he contributed to the community," said his longtime friend, Dr. Cody Smith. "He was intelligent, honest and reliable." Harold continued his service to the community as a member of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors from October 1982 through December 2007, contributing beyond measure to the OMWD's progress and achievements. Throughout 17 of those years, he also served on the OMWD's Personnel Committee, ensuring a safe and ethical working environment. Harold was one of the original members of the statewide organization, Special District Risk Management Authority (SDRMA), and served on its board for 21 years. In that role, he was instrumental in guiding SDRMA to meet its mission of renewable, efficiently-priced risk financing and risk management services. Prior to this endeavor, Harold served as a member of the Special Districts Workers Compensation Authority. Harold had a keen understanding of national water issues and was a delegate on the National Water Resources Association and served on several committees of the American Water Works Association as a representative for OMWD. Harold also served as a founding director of the Fire Safe San Diego County in 1997 on behalf of OMWD, which is an organization active in minimizing the potential for wildfire damage to their communities and maximizing the health of California's natural resources. Through his unceasing determination and efforts on behalf of the public, Harold played a crucial role in securing the vital resource of imported water, ensuring a safe and secure water supply into the 21st century, and in obtaining hydroelectricity, recycled water, wastewater services, and park facilities for the people of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District, the County of San Diego, and the State of California. His 25 years of leadership, dedication, perseverance, and unfailing loyalty to public service contributed inestimably to the welfare of the citizens and residents of his community and the entire District. For his vast and priceless contributions, Harold was honored in August 2005 at the dedication of the Harold L. Gano Tank and Reservoir which serves as a long-standing tribute to a dedicated man who invested his heart and soul in every activity he chose to pursue. Harold is survived by his dear wife and friend, Vivian Gano, his daughter Linda Rasmussen and son-in-law Dr. Rasmussen of Penn Valley, stepdaughter Diane Bentley and son-in-law Howard Bentley of San Diego, beloved granddaughters, Amber, Brittany and Alyssa of San Diego and numerous other family members and friends. We will miss his gentle nature, wise counsel and enduring optimism. San Dieguito United Methodist Church, In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Harold's name.