Obituary for Theo Hirsch Harvey Jr. Theo Hirsch Harvey, Jr. died peacefully at age 96 on June 10, 2018 at Christwood Retirement Community in Covington, LA. Theo was born in New Orleans, March 2, 1922 to Hazel Mercier and Theo H. Harvey, Sr He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Barbara Strong Harvey.
He is survived by his two daughters Nancy Strong Harvey Hales (Stephen) of New Orleans and Elizabeth Strong Harvey Haughey (Kenneth) of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Matthew Hales (Valerie), Benjamin Hales (Kendall), Jonathan Soslow (Kylie), Ethan Hales (Cana), Timothy Soslow (Elizabeth), William Hales (Catherine), Sarah Haughey (fiance’ Shane), fifteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Theo graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN then returned home to attend Tulane University where he was a member of the Student Council and was elected President of the Student Body of the College of Arts and Sciences.
He was a proud member and president of the DKE fraternity and was elected to the Omicron Delta Kappa and the Scabbard and Blade Honor Societies. He served as the Commander of Tulane’s Naval ROTC Battalion. While at Tulane he met Barbara Strong Harvey.
They were married following Theo’s graduation in 1944 and just before he left to serve as an officer on the USS Admiralty Islands, an aircraft carrier that saw action in the South Pacific during WWII. At the conclusion of the war Theo returned to New Orleans and went to work at his family’s business, the Harvey Press, which he eventually owned and led. Always an innovator, he invested in technology to build the Harvey Press into the pre-eminent regional printing company.
In 1981 he sold the business and retired. Restless in retirement, Theo started a new business, Hanson Graphics. Theo convinced companies like Kodak and Sony to install millions of dollars of cutting-edge pre-press technology.
Hanson Graphics led the way in testing and adapting digital imaging technology, including early versions of digital cameras and ink-jet printers, to the needs of the printing industry. Following his second and final retirement he and Barbara moved to Christwood Retirement Community where they were among the first residents. Energetic gardeners, Theo and Barbara claimed an undeveloped corner of the Christwood property and transformed it into the Harvey Trace, a walking trail through wild gardens, wetlands and ponds that continues to give pleasure to Christwood residents.
After Hurricane Katrina, Theo led an effort to connect Christwood with the struggling Delacroix community. Delacroix, where Theo had a fishing camp, had been devastated by the hurricane. Seeing the critical needs of his Delacroix neighbors Theo convinced friends and businesses to contribute food and other res.
The Delacroix Project helped feed the community for more than a year, helped rebuild the church and community center, and built a free washeteria to serve the residents. An avid and enthusiastic fisherman and boater, Theo was always sure he knew where to find fish, and he was sometimes right. He brought the same optimism, enthusiasm and frequent disappointment to his passionate and life-long support of Tulane football.
He was a member of several Carnival organizations and will be remembered as the long-time Sergeant of the Rex Title Float. He leaves behind many friends spread across several generations. Over his last years his friendship with Carol Bartlett has been a special blessing.
Theo’s family is grateful to the Christwood staff as well as the staff of Notre Dame Hospice for the loving care Theo received. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at 4:00 PM on Friday, July 6, 2018 at The Christwood Garden Room, 100 Christwood Blvd. Covington, LA 70433 followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Christwood Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Share a memory on the tribute wall at www.
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