Obituary of Harold Nordby

Harold Nordby Ph. D.

Born 11 / 3 / 31 in New England, North Dakota 

Died 8/24/18 in Winter Haven, Florida

Harold was a kind man with an inquisitive mind, who enjoyed singing. He had a BS in Chemistry and Math from Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota, a Master's degree in Chemistry and a Ph. D. in Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition from the University of Arizona. 

He was also a Christian and active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven for 54 years. For 16 of those years he served as an Elder; he was also active in church music. He sang in church choirs for 77 years. 

While at the University of Arizona in 1963 he joined Toastmasters International to help practice for his oral exams. Since then, he was an active member where he gave presentations and mentored dozens of other members. 

Harold was also a 1964 charter member of the Citrus Capitol Chorus, Polk County's Barbershop Chorus. (aka Sentimental Journeymen) He was active until this year. He was also active in Sertoma and family trips. This included visiting his sister in Tanzania, East Africa and sons in Japan. 

As a Biochemist / Research Scientist he worked at the Hormel Institute in Austin, Minnesota and at the USDA/ARS U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Winter Haven, and then Winter Park. 

Harold is survived by his wife Marlene (Dirks), son Paul (Donna), son Mark (Laurie) and son Masato (Minami). Masato was an exchange student for a year from Japan. Harold's grandchildren include Matthew and Grace (Mark and Laurie's children) and Renee (Harold and Marlene's honorary granddaughter.) He is also survived by his sister Eunice Simonson, a long-term missionary and nurse in Tanzania. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lighthouse for the Blind in Winter Haven (206 Avenue D N.W., Winter Haven, Florida 33881) or to Operation Bootstrap Africa for the Eunice Simonson Nursing Scholarship Fund. (In memory of Harold Nordby, 625 4th Avenue South Suite110, Minneapolis, MN 55415)

A celebration of his life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 3 p.m.. Preceeding the service there will be visitations from 1:50 to 2:50 p.m. A light reception will follow the celebration.