Harold (Hal) Hovind, was born in Edmonton on September 23,1933. He peacefully passed away at his home on March 4, 2025 after living with cancer. Harold and his younger brother Gordon grew up at the Edmonton Ski Club on Connors Hill through the 1940’s and 50’s when their parents Ole and Marie managed the ski club. It was no surprise that young Harold would break a 6-year ski-jumping record of 165 ft. from the historic wooden ski jump that towered over Connors Road. Over 3000 spectators were in attendance at the bottom of the hill that winter day in 1951.
Harold lived an adventurous outdoor life and was rarely idle. He was an excellent handyman of all trades and was always busy with projects. Just last October shortly after his 91st birthday, Harold effortlessly climbed up on the house roof to assist his son-in-law and nephews with repairs!
As a master electrician Harold was posted throughout the Canadian Arctic in the 1960’s working on the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning) radar systems. By 1971 Harold traded the cold arctic for the warm sands of the Sahara Desert where he worked for Oasis Oil Company in Tripoli, Libya for 18 years. His wife Phyllis and three children joined him and shared many great adventures in Libya and in Europe.
In retirement Harold and his second wife Elke enjoyed many years together camping, gardening and entertaining friends.
Harold is fondly remembered and dearly missed by his son Arne, daughter Jessie, son-in-law Tom, grandsons Michael and Kevin, daughter Karen and granddaughter Julianne, his brother Gordon, sister-in-law Monica, niece Karey and nephew Cody.
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