Wednesday, September 28, 2022
I had the pleasure of working with Harold on a unique program in the 1990s, for which he was very well suited in terms of knowledge, perspective, intuition and humor. Our small team was trying to do something never done before, and we weren't sure it was doable. When we considered a feature or factor we didn't yet understand, Hal would strike his typical self-conscious pose -- with hand covering his mouth -- as he would ponder, and ponder. And he would wait quietly deferring to others until a long pause, to eventually speak up from behind his clenched fist. And he invariably had an insight that was key to solving that problem. But still unsure at every turn. For a tall guy, with so much capability, he was always stooped and timid and self-effacing: his charm and his limitation.
I recall visiting his apartment in LA years later, and him showing off his collection of CDs lining a huge closet, perhaps 3000 of them or more. And he was so proud, showing off his prized ones with his favorite artists. He knew technology made them obsolete, but he wouldn't be robbed of his joy. He was like a kid, as I'd never seen him before.
We stayed in touch, too infrequently. But when we talked it was great. He was modest, to a fault. He was always sincere. He was insightful. He was funny.
Good bye my friend.
--Dan N
