Harold W. Harpster

November 26, 1949 - July 29, 2018

Harold "Hop" "Doc" William Harpster, widely recognized as a humble, charismatic, warm-hearted, animal-loving, nature-adoring, hard-working, forever-learning, value-centered mentor, confidant, friend and teacher to so many, passed on to a peaceful existence the morning of Sunday, July 29, 2018 at a hospice facility where he had spent only two nights after an extended stay at UPMC Montefiore in Pittsburgh, PA., bringing his four-year battle with liver cancer to a close. Born and raised by Marshall and Marie Harpster in Greater Metropolitan Tadpole (aka Pennsylvania Furnace), he met his life-long partner, Dawn L. Gilligan at the Grange Fair, pursued a B.S. in Animal Science and M.S. in Animal Nutrition at Penn State when tuition was the cost of a cheap pair of shoes, and after getting hitched, moved to East Lansing, MI to pursue a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from Michigan State University while Dawn worked as a nurse at the local hospital. He then accepted a Professor position at Penn State University in Dairy and Animal Science (a 38-year career) so they returned to build (with family and friends) their forever home on his home farm-- his favorite spot on earth. While raising their children, HH's passions were the outdoors, hunting often from his treasured Buckeye Hunting Camp, undertaking projects, nurturing cherished friendships and teaching his beloved students at Penn State. A winner of various honors and teaching awards, long-time advisor of the Block and Bridle Club, participant on various department and college-level committees, PA Livestock Hall of Fame inductee, researcher of byproduct feed utilization and ruminant nutrition, author of monthly articles for the American Agriculturalist, his legacy lives on in many. He had a lifelong love affair with anything chocolate-peanut butter, strong coffee, and medium-rare steaks. We are forever grateful for his creative ideas, memorable one-liners, contagious sense of humor, Paul Bunyan- strength, and ultimate humility; we smile when we think of his intolerance for the lazy, know-it-alls, phonies, materialistic, unreliable or rude folks of the world. He is a tough act to follow! Penn State Colleagues will remember his overflowing office; students will remember his engaging lectures; friends will remember his dedication and loyalty; family will remember his love and strength. Everyone will remember his relentless work ethic, inability to say NO to anything, amazing hugs, and that twinkle in his eye. His spirit is carried on by his loving, caregiving wife, Dawn L. Harpster, his fashion-encouraging daughter, Lisa M. Harpster, his clone-of-a-son, Matthew S. Harpster, older brother Larry Harpster (Suzanne and Jayson Harpster, Brianne Nadeau, Zoe Harpster) and younger brother Kevin Harpster (Brenda, Colton, and Kristen Harpster) along with a cherished extended family of relations, friends, students and colleagues near and far. HH would tell us to spend no more time or money on writing something for his "sorry carcass" and so we'll bring this to a close. In lieu of flowers, please reach out to someone you love-- perform an unsolicited act of service or kindness for some unfortunate soul in his name or take a day off work to do something you enjoy while you can! We never know what tomorrow may bring. A service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the State College Presbyterian Church at 132 West Beaver Ave, State College, PA. 16801. Following the service, friends and family are welcome to join us at the Mountain View Country Club, 310 Elk's Club Rd, Boalsburg, PA. 16827 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a Celebration of Life. Gifts can be made to the Harold Harpster Fund with checks payable to the Pennsylvania State University. Mailing address: The College of Agricultural Science Development Office 240 Ag Administration Building University Park, PA. 16802