Harry L. Fierstine

1932 - 2021

BORN

1932

DIED

2021

Harry Fierstine Obituary

Harry L. Fierstine
April 22, 2021
San Luis Obispo, California - Dr. Harry Lee Fierstine passed away peacefully on April 22, 2021 with his loving wife Arline by his side. He was 88. Harry was born on August 14, 1932 in Long Beach, CA, the son of the late Harry Vern Fierstine and LeClaire Agnes Marcella Bertrand, and the brother to Gail Irene. He was a resident of San Luis Obispo since 1966, having moved there after receiving his PhD at UCLA the year prior. He taught biology, zoology, comparative anatomy, and ichthyology at Cal Poly in the College of Science and Math for 29 years. He was a dedicated husband, father, brother, and teacher; he was revered by all who knew him and his legacy will endure for generations. Survivors include the love of his life: Arline of San Luis Obispo; one daughter: Kris Althoff (husband Walt) of Idaho Falls, ID; two sons: Kam Fierstine (wife Jessica) of Lindenhurst, IL, and Kory Fierstine (wife Sheli) of Ashburn, VA; 6 grandchildren: Cassi Chavez, AJ Turner, Jakob Fierstine, Rebecca Fierstine, Charlie Fierstine and Kory Fierstine, Jr.; two greatgrandchildren: Kalob and Lucus; and one sister: Gail Tameler (husband Karl) of Pueblo, CO; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

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Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on May 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Fierstine

11 Entries

Lisa Babilonia

January 6, 2024

I´m sorry to hear of Harry´s passing. We had wonderful discussions on Southern Calif. paleontology. I valued his insight and knowledge.
And of course his kindness touched my heart.

Francis Villablanca

August 2, 2021

Dearest Arline and Fierstein Family,

I was deeply saddened to learn of Harry's passing. I knew Harry from being an undergraduate at Cal poly in the early 1980s. In those days he was Associate Dean. I always really appreciated his warm approach to students and positive attitude. He was one of those people that helped me enjoy, and like, being at Cal Poly.

I return to Poly as a professor in 1999. Occasionally my wife and I would bump into Harry and Arline.
I loved how they both remembered us, and would always have the time to stop and chat. Truly a lovely and inspiring couple.

I can only begin to imagine the family's grief, and Arline's in particular. Please know that you are in our thoughts and hearts. Wonderful people live on in the hearts of others to whom they have been a great example.

Gita Kolluru

July 30, 2021

My condolences to the family. Harry was a great supporter of science, and has affected many lives in that capacity.

Maryann Stensrude

June 24, 2021

Rest in peace, Harry. Such a kind and gentle person. I knew him as a resident of the retirement community where I worked for many years before I retired myself in 2019. Condolences to his wife Arline and all his family and loved ones.

Bryan Dixon

June 3, 2021

Harry was a friend since our teen year in Long Beach, California where we attended Long Beach City College. Those early years were full of fun and good times. We later went our separate ways, Harry to UCLA and I to CAL. We met again while in the army. Marriage and children came next with several visits. As time past, we stayed in touch with each other’s future in education and personal lives. Harry was always a happy soul and had the ability to make those around him happy as well. I will miss you Harry.

Carlos De gracia

May 28, 2021

I never could meet Dr. Harry in person, I only interchanged emails with him because I was a bachellor student in other country that wanted to work and study fossil billfishes, its speciality. Dr. Fierstine was very kind and helpfully with me. He gived to me recomendations and help me a lot by sharing pictures and his data with hundreds of measures of billlfishes. Thanks to his valuable help I could learn and advance to a master and Ph.D degree working with fossil billfishes. Now I am close to publish my work that I could never have finished without his generosity. Its departure is sad but he left an extensive legacy in the vertebrate paleontology. For sure every paleontology work about billfishes will be builded over the extensive efforts of Dr. Harry Fierstine.

Bruce Tedone

May 16, 2021

Cal Poly has become the most popular CSU in the system because of people like Harry Fierstine. He cared about the people and the place with enormous wit and wisdom. My deepest condolences to his family.

Sharon Gripp

May 15, 2021

Dr. Fierstine was one of my most memorable instructors at Cal Poly. He made learning fun, enjoyable and challenging. Recall sending a coworker to him to discuss sharks teeth found at Nacimento Lake. They were overwhelmed with the information that Dr. Fierstine provided. He loved teaching.

Apollo Ford

May 13, 2021

I love you grandpa wish I could have spent more time with you!

Janis Woolpert

May 12, 2021

So many thought very highly of Harry. Loved his sense of humor and sense of fun. Our families spent some good times together.

Kam Fierstine

May 12, 2021

My father was a great man and loved the San Luis Obispo area and Cal Poly. He will be missed by many. I have many memories of following him all over the county digging up fossils, diving for abalone and fishing.

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