Harold L. Mindell

1925 - 2015

Harold Leo Mindell died May 26, 2015. He was born on August 5, 1925 in Hartford, CT; his parents were Max and Helen (Wohl) Mindell. He was predeceased not only by his parents, but also by his brother Al and sister Simme. He leaves his wife Constance (Lobenthal) and their daughters Cindy and Andrea, son Michael, son in law David Levitt and grandchildren Leora Wong, and Henry and Phoebe Levitt. He was a 1943 graduate of Weaver High School and was drafted into the Army at the age of 18. After basic training he was assigned to the 86th (Black Hawk) Infantry Division in Camp Livingston, Louisiana where he became a first scout and sniper in a rifle platoon. He earned expert badges in carbine and Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and sharp shooter in Rifle. He was deployed to France and subsequently to Germany where he engaged in combat from Cologne to Austria. After the war he was sent to the Philippines and returned to the States in April, 1946. He graduated from the University of Michigan, College of Engineering and became a partner in the Hartford, CT consulting engineering firm, Dubin Mindell Bloom Associates. He designed systems for several buildings including at the University of Hartford, the Littleton, MA High School, and worked with The Architects Collaborative and designed a number of systems for schools with them. He worked with the architect Louis Kahn designing mechanical systems for buildings including The Salk Institute of Biological Studies in LaJolla, Cal., which included one of the earliest incorporations of interstitial flooring; The Biological University Towers at the U. of Pennsylvania; The Library and Dining Hall at The Exeter Academy; the First Unitarian Church in Rochester, NY and The Greensburg Pennsylvania Press. He and his family lived in Israel from 1973 to 1978 where he was First (Chief) Engineer at Hadassah Hospital and was involved with the re-dedication of Hadassah Hospital at Mt. Scopus. Upon returning to the States he was Chief Engineer at Yale New Haven Hospital where he was involved with the Replacement Facility, directed major renovations of the Memorial Hospital, and directed the construction of the Children's Hospital. He always prided himself on being "on time, under budget, and of quality" with his projects. After Yale New Haven Hospital he was Project Engineer for the replacement of the Bedford Middle School in Westport, CT and for the renovations and addition of the Coleytown Middle School, also in Westport. Harold was the consummate professional who took pride in his work and the completion of each project which reflected his dedication to his belief that one should always do one's best--and then some. He loved jitterbugging with Connie, Big Band and jazz, a great joke, the Red Sox, and time with friends. But, most of all, he got the most pleasure from being with his family. He will be deeply missed by his wife, his children, his grandchildren and many more. He was a true mensch and leaves a hole. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Memorial period (Shiva) will be observed through Monday, June 1 at 16 Old Oak Road, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel or Beth El Temple, West Hartford, CT. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Harold Mindell, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.