Harry Babad

1936 - 2022

Harry Babad
March 12, 1936 - December 23, 2021
Post Falls, Idaho - Age 85, b March 12, 1936, Vienna, Austria d December 23, 2022, Post Falls, Idaho. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, scientist, artisan, music lover. Father: Elek "Elias" Babad - Elias worked as a designer and creator of fine leather overcoats in Vienna, Austria. Mother: Rebecca "Rifka" Greenspan. During the Nazi invasion of World War II, the family took one of the last ships headed for America before the attack of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent moratorium on ships traveling to America. Elias settled the family in the Bronx area of New York City. Harry graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He received a graduate fellowship from the University of Illinois, where he earned a master's and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with a minor in Analytical Chemistry in 1961. Harry would often play folk guitar for tips at local coffeehouses during graduate school. He compiled and edited a book of bawdy folk songs during this time. His book remained in print for almost 20 years. In 1963, he moved to Denver, where he worked as Assistant Professor of Physical-Organic Chemistry at Denver University. On September 24, 1965, Harry married the love of his life, Joan Iliana Klein. Joan was beautiful, vibrant, creative, and patient—she taught Harry how to drive! Joan had Bruce from a previous marriage, but Harry embraced fatherhood and legally adopted Bruce. Two years later, Harry accepted a position in Muskegon, Michigan, where he was hired to work in the research and development branch of Story Chemical. His experimental nature found its way into the kitchen, where he and Joan became gastronomers creating epicurean delights daily. Joan started making art pieces using intricate macrame techniques, and Harry began to make custom jewelry. On January 21, 1969, Joan and Harry welcomed their daughter, Nachael "Nikki," into the world! Harry's hobbies at this time included fencing, Jewish folk dancing, and reading all things science fiction. In 1974 Harry moved the family to Richland, Washington, where Harry secured a job managing a research department for ARCO at the Hanford DOE site. Before retirement in 1997, Harry became Principal Scientist over the Tank Farms (radioactive waste storage) and received glowing reviews. Harry and Joan built their dream home in North Richland across the street from Hanford High School. Their artistic adventures took flight as they sold their wares on weekends at various art shows throughout the Pacific Northwest. Harry was an avid Apple computer user and authored over 300 articles for the ezine, Mac-Companion. Harry volunteered and served on boards for several civic organizations, including the Tri-Cities Technical Council and the Mid-Columbia Regional Arts Council. Dr. Harry Babad is survived by his sister, Helene, children, Bruce Babad and Nikki Babad/Payne, grandchildren, Joshua Adams, Miles Babad, Julian Babad, daughter-in-law, Janice Babad, and son-in-law, Tyson Payne. Harry is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Babad, 85 d March 17, 2019.
A Celebration of Life will be held between 1:00 - 3:00 on August 7, 2022 at the Anthology Event Center in Richland, WA. 706 Williams Blvd, Richland, WA. (Casual, Hors D'oeuvres, and live jazz) RSVP Nikki (509) 430-9049