Harry loved family

The love of his life was Delores (Del), the mother of his four children and wife of over 62 years.

His family members:

Children - Janice Patterson (Dean Patterson), Dean Kassebaum (Kathleen Kassebaum), Karrie Nitsche, and Kimberly Miller (Todd Miller)

Grandchildren: Tyler Bradberry, Danny Kassebaum, Kristen Bell (Miles Bell), Alex Bradberry, Kristopher Nitsche, Mia Nitsche, Cole Miller, and Tess Miller

Great-grandchildren: Livia Bell, and Brody Bell

Harry’s favorite pastime other than with his family: Reading mystery/suspense novels and writing.

Raised by his widowed mother, Alma Ruth Kassebaum (aka ‘Mia’ or ‘Peg’) Harry was an only child, brought up in the Montecito area through many of his elementary school years. His father (Harry Adams Kassebaum, Sr.) passed away in 1937. He and his mother moved to San Gabriel in 1941 where Harry attended the Clairbourne School and became neighbors with Roy and Carolyn Edwards - two beautiful people who played an important role in Harry's upbringing from an early age through adulthood.

Harry and his mother went to St. Louis, Missouri where she worked at The Principia School while Harry attended the boys’ school. He then attended Principia College and joined the US Naval Reserves. He completed his duty in 1951 and was drafted immediately into the US Army. He was honorably discharged from both the Navy and the Army. He returned from service in 1953 to help his mother who had opened a furnishings business in Visalia, CA. It was there that he met and fell in love with Delores Ann Swearingen. The two moved from the San Joaquin Valley when they married in 1954 and settled in the Los Angeles area. Over the period from 1955 to 1965 the two had four children, one son and three daughters.

Harry moved his family throughout LA until 1969 when all moved to the Santa Ana foothills where they lived for over ten years. Harry pursued his long term development career after working for So Cal Edison in Los Angeles in his early years. He ventured north to Chico CA in the mid 70's and commuted for a few years, eventually moving the family household there in 1981. They remained in Chico on and off for the next 35 years.

Harry was committed to his family and found no better joy than to be in their company. Many family vacations and reunions were spent at Shaver Lake, CA where he and Delores realized many years of family fun, memories and friendships. The infamous "Kamp Kassebaum" was created to share time with their grandchildren enjoying many a summer with their Poppa and DeeGee.

Harry was loved and he will be missed.

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