Claude Harta

Claude Julius Harta Claude Harta, 85, formerly of Tacoma, passed away on February 1, 2006 in Green Valley, Arizona. Son of Elly and Felix Harta, he was born in Salzburg and grew up in Vienna, Austria where his father was a well-known painter. He was forced by the Natzis to leave Austria in his teens. In 1940 he came to the United States and was drafted into the Army. He saw action in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and served with Patton's Third Army. He met his wife, Frances Mary Oakley, while serving at Ft. Lewis after the war. Together they founded Harta Photography Studio and for nearly 25 years operated it at 9th and Pacific in Tacoma. In 1974 they sold the studio and retired in San Carlos, Mexico where they lived until about ten years ago when they moved to Green Valley, Arizona. Frances passed away in 2000. Claude was very active in Rotary International and spearheaded many projects in Mexico. He is survived by two daughters, Claudia Casebolt and husband Steve of Lawrenceville, NJ, and Denise Nichols and husband Russ of Selah, WA, and four grandchildren: Aaron Nichols, Ryan Nichols, Tarmigan Casebolt and Sahale Casebolt. He is also survived by a sister, Gusti Wolf in Vienna, Austria. A memorial service for Claude will be held over the summer in Tacoma. The family has asked that anyone wishing to honor his memory contribute to the Rotary project that he was currently working on: The Asilo Madre Conchita Orphanage in Nogales, Mexico. Checks may be made out to the Valle Verde Rotary Club (Orphanage Project) and mailed to PO Box 311, Green Valley, AZ 85614.