Great-grandfather, outdoorsman, gardener, traveler, man of faith

Delighted by family and friends, committed to justice and faith, and steadfastly curious, David Thurston Harshman died on Sunday, August 15 in Pomona at the age of 92.

David was born on September 20, 1928 in Glendale. He married his college love, Betty Lucille Smith, and they had three children: Susan Cooper, Thomas Harshman and Mark Harshman.

Following Betty’s death, he married Margaret Miller Crosbie (Peggy) who had three children as well: Carrie Hawkins, Daniel Crosbie and Jennie North. Peggy also predeceased Mr. Harshman.
He is survived by his six children and their spouses; fifteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and his sister, Delight Morefield.

Following graduations from Hoover High School and Occidental College, he and his father shared a family business that supported both of their pursuits of other vocational passions.

Mr. Harshman served in various roles with the All Nations Foundation, including executive director, and with the So Cal/Hawaii region of the American Camp Association.

He enjoyed long-lasting friendships, backpacking in Yosemite and Sequoia, gardening, making olallieberry jam, attending Rotary International, and organizing group travel with loved ones.

He found many ways to express his faith through involvements in the First United Methodist Church of Glendale, La Canada Presbyterian Church, and Claremont United Methodist Church.

A celebration of his life will be held in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to the Claremont School of Theology at https://cst.edu/giving; or the Yosemite Conservancy at https://yosemite.org/giving/.