Harrison Vale "Harry" Siddons

Born: Jan. 21, 1931; in Chippewa Falls, Wis.Died: Oct. 25, 2006; in McHenryHe worked for a variety of defense industry companies including NASA MCHENRY - Harrison "Harry" Vale Siddons, 75, of McHenry, died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006 at his home.He was born Jan. 21, 1931, in Chippewa Falls, Wis., to Vance and Louise (Hoepner) Siddons. On July 28, 1956, he married Betty Halverson at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Cornell, Wis.He enjoyed spending summers, while young, with his family on Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, where his family had a summer cottage. As he got older, he would work on the Ore Boats leaving out of Duluth, Minn., for Lake Superior. He joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17 years old. He served honorably through the Korean War. During his enlistment in the Navy, he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He received his engineering degree from the University of Houston. After college, he worked for a variety of defense industry companies, including Rocketdyne, North American, Litton, NASA and Northrop Grumman.While working for NASA, he was one of the first eight engineers hired for the Apollo program. While employed at Litton-Ingall's Shipbuilding, he was assigned as Admiral Rikover's attaché while developing the nuclear submarine fleet for the U.S. Navy and later served as Ship Superintendent on surface ships being built at Ingall's Shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. While at Northrop Grumman, he served as the director, product support, maintaining electronic warfare systems around the world.He was an accomplished engineer, manager and father. Harrison dedicated many volunteer hours to a variety of causes including youth athletics, Lutheran church activities and veterans' advocacy groups.He was a 55-year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, belonging to VFW Post 1038 in Chippewa Falls. He volunteered his time and talents regularly to local veteran's groups.He enjoyed youth athletics, restoring antique vehicles and his family, which was his greatest source of joy.Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty Siddons of McHenry; four children, Mark Harrison (Diane) Siddons of Marengo, Mary Beth Siddons of McHenry, Eric Nickolaus (Terrie) Siddons of Lake in the Hills and Christina Louise (Rick) Haupt of Crystal Lake; seven grandchildren, Rachel Grace, Sarah Christina, Owen Lee, Conner Vale, Hannah Marie, Devin Austin and Cayla Rosalie; eight brothers and sisters, Wanda Nitz, Nancy Halverson, Russell Siddons, Mary LaNou, Gary Siddons, Art Siddons, Charolene Card and Joy Siddons; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Shirley Olson and Deanne Johnson.The visitation will continue from 1 p.m. until the funeral service at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. The Rev. Nathan Anderson will officiate.Interment will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, in Prairie View Cemetery in Chippewa Falls.Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the VFW Post 1038 in Chippewa Falls, c/o Leroy Janske, P.O. Box 685, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.Arrangements were handled by Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home. For more information, call (815) 459-1760.