November 22, 1939 ~ November 22, 2021 (age 82)
Harold was born on November 22, 1939, to Fred Block and Aletha (Turley) Block and raised on the family farm in Pocahontas County, Iowa. He attended country school as a young boy and moved on to Rolfe High School in Rolfe, Iowa, from which he graduated in 1958. After graduation, he worked in construction until moving to Longmont, CO in 1960, where he was employed at Cyclone Filter Manufacturing. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and trained as a Jet Aircraft Mechanic Specialist at Amarillo AFB, Texas. He later moved on to the Sioux City, Iowa, Air Base where he continued work as an Aircraft Mechanic. After serving in the Air Force, he moved back to Longmont, CO, where he met his future wife, Marilyn Smith. They were married May 8, 1965. As it turned out, Harold was notified by the U.S. Postal Service that his application for employment as a letter carrier/clerk in Longmont was accepted and would be effective May 8, 1965!
Harold and Marilyn moved to Hygiene, CO in 1969, built their home and raised their two boys, Eric and Brian. Harold was a volunteer fireman in the community for 20 years. During the 30 years he lived in Hygiene, he worked with a group of friends to establish what became the “Yesteryear Farm and Home Show”, an annual event in Longmont that demonstrates farm life of the past. Harold’s display was old gas engines, one of which he used to operate his “famous can crusher” that he built, and which became a big event attraction. He always joked about “all the beer he and friends had to consume” to get enough cans to keep his operation going! He was proud to display his 1917 Hercules engine that belonged to his great grandfather. Wanting to have something for his grandsons, Michael and Kenan, to show along with his engines, he restored two Maytag engines, and built carts for them. The boys would get in line with the tractors and proudly pull their treasures during the daily parades.
He retired from the Post Office in 1992, which gave him the opportunity to do “handyman” projects for friends and family, which he enjoyed. He had a talent for coming up with ideas to “fix whatever needed to be fixed” (no doubt something he learned growing up on the farm). He also spent time doing woodworking, which led to many pieces of furniture for friends and family. He and Marilyn moved to Loveland in 1999, but kept their ties to Hygiene and the friends who were a part of their lives for so many years.
After Marilyn retired, they spent time traveling in their fifth-wheel. They most enjoyed the Oregon coast, Vancouver, B.C., Yellowstone, and Arizona. Harold had close connections with his high school classmates (Rolfe, Iowa), and he and Marilyn attended the reunions and any other “event” that was planned. They were a special group of small town and farm kids who shared lifetime values.
Harold was a member of the American Legion in Longmont, the Fire & Police Association, DAV and NALC, and was a dedicated financial supporter of many organizations that fell in line with his beliefs.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jim Block, Carl Block, sister Louise King, and grandson Kenan Block. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, son, Eric Block and daughter-in-law, Colleen Kellogg, of Portland, OR, son, Brian Block of Ft. Collins, CO, grandson, Michael Block, Denver, Co, step-grandchildren, Rory Alspaugh, Golden, CO, and Fiona Alspaugh, Portland, OR, sister, Grace Tiernan, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews. He had a close relationship with his brothers-in-law, Mark Smith, Steve Smith and Robert Smith and often revisited some of their escapades (of which there were many), in their younger days.
VIEWING
Wednesday
December 1, 2021
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Chapel
503 Terry Street
Longmont, CO 80501
FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday
December 1, 2021
10:00 AM
Carroll - Lewellen Funeral Services
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Wednesday
December 1, 2021
11:00 AM
Hygiene Cemetery
Hygiene Road
Hygiene, CO 80503
