California: RIP: Redwood Forest Defender Harold Short
Harold knew that taking photos of logging on private forest land was
risky, yet sometimes it was so effective that it was necessary. His
photos once uncovered some of the worst stream damage caused by a
logging boom in the early 1990’s in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Harold’s efforts forced government reviews, fines, and greater accountability.
Most of all I remember how Harold was always quietly
sitting at the head of the table at our monthly forest monitoring
meetings. He was always composed, if not downright stoic, when we
discussed the various outrages / plans for litigation against an
industry that had wrought great harm to our local watersheds.
To an outside observer Harold might not of seemed very involved in those
meetings, but to those of us who saw the quality of his work, we knew
he was a key player who’s presence will be sorely missed.
–Editor, Forest Policy Research
Harold Short was a quiet man with a ready sense of humor. Whenever a
person or group needed help with a special project, Harold was there.
He was particularly active when the Sierra Club Forestry Task Force,
of which he was a longtime member, was protecting the redwoods in
Ramsey Gulch and Grizzly Flat. Harold was a photographic engineer and
taught photography in Carmel. His particular focus was on dramatic
natural views. Harold died February 2, 2009 in Watsonville Hospital.
He was 69. Whenever a special project needs help, Harold will be
missed. — Ida Hills
Short, Harold A. View/Sign Gue st Book
Harold Ashby Short, 69, of Corralitos, CA, passed away peacefully, on Monday, February 2, 2009 at Watsonville Community Hospital.
He is survived by his two nieces, Nancy Butler of Mechanicsburg, PA and Jennifer Lentz of Nottingham, MD.
He was born in Cleveland, OH on September 13, 1939, the son of the late George A. and Irene C. Short, and=2 0the brother of the late David W. Short.
Harold graduated in 1957 from Chagrin Falls High School in Ohio. He graduated with a BS in Photographic Science from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1961.
He made his career in photography and took an early retirement from Fairchild Semi-Conductor Corp but was also employed by Lockheed Missiles & Space Co, Itek Corp, and Philco-Ford Corp.
Harold was a dear friend to many due to his membership in many organizations in the areas of photography, stamp collecting and environmental action.
One of his greatest achievements was the award he received last year from the Czeslaw Slania Society the Czeslaw Slania Award in recognition of publishing Close-Up, an international magazine devoted to Czeslaw Slania.
He was editor of the following newsletters: The Western Philatelic Library, the Czeslaw Slania Society, the Bay Phil and the Tindall Mountain Gazette. He was also a member of the Carmel Foundation, Sierra Club, Cousteau Society, Jane Goodall Institute, Friends of the Sea Otter, Bay Area Naturist Society, American Philatelic Society, Scandinavian Collectors Club, Wilderness Society, Greenpeace, the Santa Cruz County Stamp Club, the Chairman of the North Coast Beaches Advisory Committee and a supporter of Open Space Alliance of Santa Cruz.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Eucharistic Catholic Community Church in Watsonville, CA on February 28.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Harold’s name to the organization of your choice.