Thomas D. Harpley Ph.D.

I wrote my own obituary because I want an accurate statement of who I was. I did not die after any courageous battle; simply, death is the universal culmination of life. I am predeceased by everyone in the world who lived and died before I did, although I'm not sure how this is relevant.I was born and raised in Miami, for which I was grateful it was a good place to grow up and it was there that my love for the ocean and skin and scuba diving began. Throughout my life I was never happier than when I was in and under the ocean.I am proud that I graduated from Archbishop Curley High School, the University of Houston, Nova University and United States International University. Education and knowledge were very important to me. So, too, were physical health and conditioning, and my best days were when I accomplished something both mentally and physically. As hopefully suggested above, I had a good sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh.They say you can work in a job, or in a career or, if you are fortunate, in your "calling". I believe that it was, indeed, my calling to be a psychologist, the profession in which I worked, and which I enjoyed, for 44 years. Human behavior fascinated me my entire life.I was fortunate also to have married Sharon, who was integral in my life both personally and professionally. Together we raised our two grandsons which, to my surprise, I greatly enjoyed; ironically, this paralleled what an aunt and uncle had previously done for me. Professionally, Sharon supported and facilitated my clinical practice growing to new levels, culminating in our co-founding National Trauma Services, which specialized in the prevention of, and response to, workplace violence. What an exciting time that was. We also traveled together to numerous countries around the world, which I would never have dreamed possible.Finally, I am grateful to have had very dear friends throughout my life "You know who you are".Although I struggled at times with both depression and anxiety, I really had a wonderful life, for which I am grateful. Like someone said, however, I only wish that I had realized it sooner.A funeral Mass will be held on July 10, 2024 at 3:00pm at St. Therese Parish, 6400 St. Therese Way, San Diego, CA 92120