Harvey M. Whitney Obituary
 
August 22, 1911 – April 24, 2001

Harvey M. Whitney was born in Denver, Colorado. The Whitneys, desiring a warmer climate, moved to Madera, California in 1913. Harvey attended elementary schools in Madera and Fresno and graduated from high school in Fresno. He was president of the technical club, a member of the drama club, a musician in the school band, and a track and field athlete.

Harvey attended night classes at Fresno State College for two years. He graduated from the National Radio Institute in Washington, D.C. in 1946. Harvey had been very active in Amateur radio since 1930 when he was licensed as W6DJQ. After his retirement, he obtained an FCC First Class Radiotelephone license.

Harvey was a district manager in Sacramento when he retired from Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1976 after 47 years of service. He began his telephone career when he was only fifteen years old by working part-time on the Fresno dial conversion project. He considered his involvement in the development of nationwide direct dialing as one of his most enjoyable areas of work.

Harvey served in the U.S. Navy before and during WWII. He was on duty in San Francisco as a communications officer when the Pearl Harbor attack took place and was one of the first Americans on the mainland to learn of the attack. During the war, Harvey served on Adm. William Halsey's communications staff in the South Pacific.

Harvey was a charter member of Sierra Chapter, and although he couldn't play a note, he enjoyed building and maintaining theatre pipe organs. He was involved with several organ installation projects, including those at Cal Expo, Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse, and the Towe Auto Museum. He also installed a small Robert Morton organ in his home.

Harvey was very active in his church, Sacramento Capital Christian Center. He served as a choir and band member, sound technician, Sunday school teacher, and deacon.

Harvey was survived by his wife of 67 years, Virginia; his brother, Lorin Whitney; his daughter and two sons; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.