Harry D. Reilich

Happy Veteran´s Day Harry! I miss our talks of US history and our military. Olivia and often reflect on our times together with you and Lorraine.

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Harry. I was a 25 year old engineer when I first met Harry while working on the deck replacement of the Golden Gate Bridge. My favorite story was on a visit to our office in New York City, my immediate boss had taken Harry across the newly redecked George Washington Bridge. When he came back into the office I asked him what he thought of that job and he grabbed me by my shirt collar and told me if I gave him a deck like that for his bridge he...

5/28/11: I had the enjoyment of my first flight at the controls of Harry's Cessna 140 in Sacramento, for just a few minutes. He and I worked as CE's in field construction and design. I shall remember him always.

G.V. Wieg, Saint Anthony, Idaho.

I knew Harry all my young life. He was a great mentor, a real friend, and a live wire. Nothing like flying around in the back of Harry's Cessna with Eileen and Kenny Brown. Got to travel all over California to see him, too. We are all richer for knowing Harry.

Eileen, and further Ken, I would like to thank you for the note sent to my dad.
It means a lot to him. I will miss Harry and I wish I could see you and Ken in the near future. Send your address to my dads place, so we would all have it. Hope Hileah is doing well as is Rock. We all miss HDR and the stories that came out of him. He was sharp as a tack, that one, but tacks have a large round edge also. And Harry
would laugh and said that edge was his!

I met Harry at Aeronauticl School in Glendale, CA. e were both in the 19th Bomb Group but different Squadrons.When we finished we returned to our Group to find that our outfit was going overseas to an unknown location. My squadron was to go later- - - in December 1941.
I didn't see him till 1945.. Harry tutored me and several others so we cd get better jobs. He was a math whiz and a great teacher. We will miss him.

I worked with Harry during the construction of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge. I was assigned as an Assistant Bridge Engineer. Harry's management of our team was superb. Harry insisted that we all received whatever training and support we needed to effectively perform our duties. When mistakes were made, he insisted on learning what the mistake was and how to avoid our making the same mistakes in the future. Harry would often speak rappidly in bullet form (ex. 1..., 2..., 3..., etc.). He...

I read all about Harry in the paper and he, like my father, survived the infamous Bataan Death March and was a P.O.W. for the same length of time. My father though died October 27, 1965 at the age of 50. So wonderful the incredible work Harry did after the war and seemed like a wonderful man. So sadden to know that he lived just around the corner from me (I Iive in Santa Rosa) as I would have absolutely love to hear the stories he must have told, as I don't know much except what my dad wrote...