Harry Espenscheid Obituary

HARRY ESPENSCHEID, 98 SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Harry Espenscheid passed away Saturday, April 2, 2011, in Santa Barbara. He was born in 1912 in Danville, Ill. His beloved wife, Dorothy, predeceased him in 2007. He graduated from Dartmouth College and then, because he wanted adventure, he took off and traveled around the world. He traveled mainly by bike for two years during 1935 and 1936. This provided him with wonderful stories that he loved to share. He met his wife, Dorothy Sharp, at a dude ranch that he co-owned in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and whom he married in 1940. They loved that life, but World War II intervened and Harry had to sell the ranch and go into the Navy. He became a second lieutenant. After the war, they moved to Rockford, Ill. Harry bought Northwest Construction and later with the help of Tom Highland, established Gypsum Supply Co., which eventually expanded to 10 locations in three states. Harry's son Richard was president of Gypsum Supply until he retired. Harry went to the office until he was 94 years old. He enjoyed working with his trusted employees - some of whom worked for him more than 38 years. He later sold his company to his employees. Besides his family and his business, Harry was passionate about his horses. He and Dorothy loved to ride and Harry rode until he was 90 years old. Harry and Dorothy loved their community and donated land for three parks, including the Espenscheid Memorial Park near Rockford. The Boy Scouts of the Blackhawk Area Council in Rockford honored Harry last year during their 100th anniversary. They named their bike ride the "Harry Espenscheid Tour de Blackhawk." At that event, scout executive Don Kinney showed a DVD he had produced of Harry talking about his trip around the world. Harry had been a proud Eagle Scout. Harry was an inspiration to his family and friends. He loved traveling, meeting people, good stories and donating to his favorite charities. He led a very active and fulfilling life. Throughout Harry's life, his heart always remained in Jackson Hole, Wyo., amid the beauty of the Grand Tetons and where he and Dorothy started their life together. Survived by children, Fletcher Espenscheid, Richard (Patricia) Espenscheid and Mary (Bob) Ehrmann; and grandchildren, Jennifer (Deiter) Espenscheid, April (Roger) Arbelbide and Vince Espenscheid; and four great-grandchildren. Harry had lived in Santa Barbara for the past three and a half years where his daughter lives. A celebration of Harry's life from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St., Rockford. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. If you care to leave a memory or story, please go to rrstar.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rockford Register Star from Apr. 8 to Apr. 9, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Espenscheid

9 Entries

Debbie Ackerman

May 3, 2011

Harry Espenscheid's love of horses was clear in his support of and visits to the Rockford Park District's Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre and Children's Farm. We'll never forget the days he visited us...Harry loved watching the horses in the arena and field, and we loved demonstrating their abilities for him!

Before he moved back to California, Harry made an indelible mark on the park's landscape and facilities with a very generous $40,000 donation to the park. This significant contribution has allowed us to construct Lockwood Park's maintenance and hay storage barn buildings, providing much needed year-round shelter and warmth for staff and volunteers as they tend to daily chores, even on the coldest of winter days.

We will be forever grateful for Harry's wonderful gift to Lockwood Park and he will be forever a part of Lockwood Park's history.

Thank you Harry,
Debbie Ackerman, Manager of Lockwood Park & Staff
Friends of Lockwood Park Volunteers

April 15, 2011

I met Harry in 2003 when I started my employment at Gypsum Supply Co. He would stop at my office and sit a while to chat. My wife Kelly and I were blessed in spending an afternoon with Harry and Dorothy at their home in Rock City. Harry drove Kelly and I around the countryside in his old Ford Taurus station wagon. We went to his Gristmill which he was very proud of and walked around inside looking at the old equipment. We got a history lesson at the mill followed by Pumpkin Pie and Apple Cider at his home. Harry was a hard-working down to Earth individual who always had something meaningful to say. I will miss you Harry, and will keep your memory close to my heart.

Philip Foree

April 13, 2011

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Harry volunteered for me at City Hall when he was in town. He was such an interesting man. Reading his obituary was exactly the story he would tell of meeting his wife at the dude ranch and talking about his travels. Both he and Dorothy were beautiful people always giving to others.
Sincerely,
Tracy Gresty

Nan Auman

April 11, 2011

Mary & family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. I will be thinking of you & you are in my heart. I do hope you have good memories of him. Peace, Nan Auman

April 11, 2011

I once spent a lovely spring afternoon with Harry and Dorothy at there "Rock City Retreat" . Harry and I rode the Pasos down to the creek where the bluebells were blooming. When we returned, we dined on lemonade and sandwiches by the wood burning stove. It was a memory that will last forever.-Jane Pettersen Cherry Valley, IL

April 10, 2011

We are very sorry for your loss. We enjoyed having Harry & Dorothy as neighbors in Rock City. They were so fun to talk with & such nice people. Our whole family has fond memories of the neighborhood picnics. Our sympathies....
Vicki & Kevin Engelking & family

Jennifer Meyer-Lee

April 9, 2011

Dear Fletcher, Richard, and Mary,
It was only by chance that I happened upon your father's obituary this morning. I was looking online for my grandmother's obituary, who also happened to pass on Saturday. My stepfather, Al Meyer, was a good friend of Harry. When I was attending college at UCSB, my stepdad arranged for Harry and I to meet and have dinner. I remember he took me to a restaurant called Harry's in Santa Barbara in 1994. It was such a nice thing for him to do and I remember him fondly. I don't remember how exactly Harry and Al met. It was most likely at Dartmouth or simply in Rockford. How blessed he was to have such a long and wonderful life full of adventure. My thoughts are with you and your families at this time.

Fondly,
Jennifer Meyer Lee

Dr.Willis D. Waite

April 8, 2011

Dear Fletcher, Richard and Mary,
We send you our deepest sympathy in the passing of your beloved father and our very dear friend My wife, Beverly Waite, enjoyed so much playing tennis with your dear sweet mother.
We rejoice with you in knowing that through the Sacrifice of jesus Christ, life is eternal and we can look forward to having the same sociality with our loved ones in Heaven as we have had on earth.
I have such fond memories of you at Keith School. I am proud of you and send to you my love and warmest regards. Dr. Willis D. Waite, Your Old Headmaster!

Jim Gabelbauer

April 8, 2011

On behalf of all of the employees of Gypsum Supply, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Espenscheid family on the passing of Harry. Our employees remain forever grateful for all of the many wonderful things that Harry did for them as the owner of Gypsum Supply. His legacy truly lives on in the hearts, minds, and actions of all of our employees. All of us have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Harry and he will never be forgotten.

Jim Gabelbauer
President, Gypsum Supply

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