Harvey Arlin Wichman
November 10, 1931 - February 02, 2018
Dana Point CA
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Harvey Arlin Wichman
November 10, 1931 - February 02, 2018
Dana Point CA
Obituary
Harvey Wichman 1931-2018
Born on November 10, 1931 in Milwaukee, WI, Harvey was the first of five children born to Helen (Bagley) Wichman and Ray Wichman. At age 5 his family moved to Greendale, WI, where he lived until he graduated high school. At age 16 he and his friends formed an Explorer Air Scout troop. They bought a J3 Piper cub in which he learned to fly.
Harvey obtained his BA and MA degrees from California State University, Long Beach and his PhD from Claremont Graduate University. He taught Psychology for almost 40 years at Claremont McKenna College and Claremont Graduate University. For many years, he also taught flying at both Harvey Mudd College and Cable Airport. Harvey’s research was primarily in the area of Aviation Psychology in which he worked with McDonnell Douglas, NASA, and JPL. He was known as a superlative teacher, winning many awards and the lifelong friendship of numerous students.
He was a beloved brother, husband, father and grandfather who is survived by his sister Rosemary Derouin, his wife Ann, his two sons Russell (Sue-Ann) and Glenn, and his four grandchildren, Caleb, Jake (and their mother Nina), Heather (Jake) , and Sara-Beth. He was also the patriarch of a large and loving family of relatives too numerous to mention. There will be a private service for the immediate family. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Braille Institute (www.brailleinstitute.org/ways-to-give.html) which helped him greatly after he lost his vision in 2013.
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17 responses to Harvey Arlin Wichman
Christy Reynolds says:
February 13, 2018
My beloved Uncle Harv was the best human being I have ever known. I not only got to grow up with him as my uncle, I was also lucky enough to have him as a college professor! When I was a student at CMC, Professor Wichman loved hearing “Hi Uncle Harv!” from my friends as he walked around campus. I’m so grateful for the wonderful visit my husband Steve and I had with Uncle Harv just two weeks before his passing — along with Aunt Ann and my cousins Glenn and Russ. We laughed and shared memories and read some of Uncle Harv’s poetry and cried some … And in true Harvey Wichman fashion, when we were wrapping up our visit he held his arms out to us, then tapped his head and said “So, this [brain cancer] is terminal, and it’s going to be fast…” then continued with a smile and a strong, wonder-filled voice, “But have you EVER known anyone who’s had a more exciting, fulfilling, interesting [can’t remember all the superlatives he said] life than I have?!” No, I haven’t. He was an inspiration and joy to all of us who were fortunate enough to be in his life. Goodbye, Uncle Harv. You are so loved, and will be so missed.
Clara says:
February 13, 2018
I was fortunate to have Harv and Ann as a mentor when I was in college. Harv was a very sweet man and exuded a sense of comfort and warmth to those around him. I remember at our program meetings I didn’t say much because I was nervous, but Harv came over to speak to me and made me feel more comfortable. It was an honor to have known Harv and he will be deeply missed.
Daisy Lorrainne Watson says:
February 13, 2018
You were truly a gem and I am sad to see you go, theres comfort in knowing your life was full of joy, love, and laughter. Goodbye grandpa harv, Sara and I will toast a chocolate/peanut butter/banana shake to you and think of you often.
Faith Kristiansen says:
February 13, 2018
Harvey you will be greatly missed.
Gail Marley says:
February 13, 2018
I was blessed to of met Harvey back in my early 20’s, he was always welcoming and made me feel part of the family. Harvey had a smile and laughter that was contagious and even when things didn’t look so bright (after his stroke) he had a way of making others feel as if it was always going to be ok. He had stories of when he was growing up that were almost hard to believe and impossible to forget, he left the kind of mark that makes you want to be a better person. He will be missed and it’s hard to believe he’s gone.