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OWN VOICE. ~ InPerspective by Gregg Dieguez —
Our community lost a valued neighbor, friend, and contributor yesterday when Harald Herrmann was tragically killed while biking home on Hwy 1 on Wed. 9/28/22. Harald was a gem of a man: intelligent, collaborative, funny, energetic, athletic, hard-working, and caring were just some of his many adored qualities. Harald was an incredibly loving husband and father, and even good with tools. He was involved in many aspects of our community here locally and in Lake Tahoe, where his family would spend time skiing and snowshoeing during the wintertime.
Harald was analytical and determined in his efforts to keep our community safe. He helped found MidcoastEco, working to preserve our coastal environment. He joined in efforts to combat airport noise at HAF. He flagged risks from wildfires both here and at Lake Tahoe, noting especially the evacuation risks residents face, and the impact on home insurance costs. Harald found and publicized the seismic threats we face, and that new developments seem to want to ignore. He was concerned about many issues we face: our water supply, the affordability of our infrastructure, and off leash dog walking on public trails. Recently, he was pursuing the County for information on toxicity of the HMB airport, requesting soil lead and PFAS testing in the areas being farmed. [This is an effort the County is refusing, yet we will continue to pursue on his behalf.] Harald’s research and voice inspired us all in advocating and advancing a safer and more sustainable community. He was also a compassionate man who did not shy away from getting involved when he sensed a need. His neighbors will attest to his generous and helpful nature!
In Tahoe, he supported the Keep Tahoe Blue initiative which stopped a large development that would have trapped thousands on the evacuation routes in the event of a wildfire. Additionally, he researched with interest our identical problem here on the Midcoast.
Harald was an avid biker, skier, hiker, and snowshoer as time permitted, forwarding gorgeous pictures of his adventures. Unfortunately, I only have one photo that shows Harald, attached. He was much cuter in person.
Most of all, Harald was a family man. He never missed an opportunity to speak with the utmost pride, admiration, and love that he had for his children.
Harald was always willing to help, and never once asked for the credit he deserved. He used to sign off on our calls by saying: “Thank You for all you do”. And now I must say: “Thank YOU Harald, for all you have done. We miss you.”
Below, some pictures from Harald’s hiking trips… [click to enlarge in new window]
More From Gregg Dieguez ~ InPerspective
Mr. Dieguez is a native San Franciscan, longtime San Mateo County resident, and semi-retired entrepreneur who causes occasional controversy on the Coastside. He is a member of the MCC, but his opinions here are his own, and not those of the Council. In 2003 he co-founded MIT’s Clean Tech Program here in NorCal, which became MIT’s largest alumni speaker program. He lives in Montara. He loves a productive dialog in search of shared understanding.
It would be hard to match your elegant tribute to Harald, Gregg. Harald was an exceptionally good man – from father, to husband, to good friend, employee, businessman, and community member and leader – his loss is a loss for so many of us. His friendship and community contributions will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his wonderful family.
Harald was truly a great man, and this loss is already deeply felt. Thank you for this excellent tribute. He made everyone feel important.
Harald “discovered” me at Kaiser Permanente and gave me a job. He was a mentor, friend who dearly loved his family and so incredibly loyal to the people he worked with. So many people will miss his kind and generous character.
A shocking loss. Harald’s kindness and caring extended from his family to his neighbors and beyond to the entire midcoast. We are instantly poorer due to his passing.
Thanks for your report, Harald was such a compassionate person, I had the privilege of working with him for several years. He went out of his way to help people, he is such a caring person, life takes such strange turns – I’m truly heartbroken today. May God give his family all His blessings and I pray for him to Rest In Peace!
Absolutely the best friend, neighbor, husband and father. Huge loss.
Thank you for this article. What a loss to the Coastside!
Thank you so much for this article about Harald. He was one of the kindest people we knew. We are so heartbroken. We are going to miss him.
Thank you Gregg for this tribute. Harald was a kind and generous man and a great asset to this community. He will be missed.
Thank you Gregg for your amazing article and tribute to Harald. I for one miss him very much as a friend and a very active member of our local plane group.
This is a lovely tribute, Gregg. I did t know Harold but sounds as though he was a great asset to our community and will be greatly missed
Gregg,
Thank you for your report.
Harald was a remarkable man. He was the kind of person who made a important contributions to the community.
Kathryn