Harry Carl Sanetel

Harry Sanetel

1928-2019

Harry C Sanetel  was born February 28, 1928 in Oregon City, Oregon at his grandparents house. After all these years, the home is still standing.

Harry had a great passion for electronics, and that passion turned into a career that he continued to dabble in right up to the last days of his life.

Although, his keen interest in electronics started in childhood, the Army catapulted his love and understanding for electronics. Harry grew up in the era of radio. As a child he was very talented and curious, and with a handful of used radio parts he set out to build his own makeshift radio. Believe it or not, his radio actually worked and he could hear the local station, although very faintly.

While in the United States Army, he became so proficient in his skills with electronics that he became a trainer. When he left the army he worked for a local television repair shop and eventually purchased his own television repair business. This business later turned into multiple locations in the Portland, Oregon metro market.

While managing his television repair companies, Harry naturally became interested in computer technology as personal computers (PCs) began making their way into millions of homes and businesses across America. He was so fascinated with anything having to do with computers that he began building custom made computers for his clients which continued into the later years of his life. What most people do not realize is that Harry was a self-taught computer expert. Once people became aware of this, he was sought out for help with complex computer issues. Harry trained many people how to navigate the sometimes confusing computer world, and most of his time was spent fixing or building computers for others.

Harry also loved the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, motorcycle riding and basically anything to escape the sometimes hectic city life. He passed this along to his children and many friends. Harry shared many secrets, but always kept a few hidden so he could one-up his competition such as catching the biggest fish, or jumping logs with his motorcycle.

Harry’s children loved looking for weaknesses in his many areas of expertise, yet Harry always seemed to have the last laugh when they attempted to “take down dad.”

Harry loved music! He learned to play the violin when he was a child. He took special music lessons in school to master this talent, and later his music teachers said they could not teach him anything more. While Harry was living at home, his parents would insist that he entertain their guests with his violin. Unfortunately, Harry did not enjoy showing off his musical talent and in his later years his love for playing the violin faded away. However he still loved listening to music and throughout his life he would spend endless hours enjoying music with friends and family. Harry even built some of his own music equipment such as amplifiers, speakers, etc. His first set of stereo speakers took up the entire wall of his first home on Northeast 59th street in Portland. Sometimes the music was so loud and wonderful, the neighbors would sit outside their home just to listen to it. It became kind of a free concert on behalf of their young neighbor.

The 59th street home was not only a safe haven for Harry’s family, it was also a well-known house of fun. With seven children there was never a dull moment. You could count on croquet championships, rubber band fights, and anything that involved some type of competition. Family and friends loved this, yet we are certain the neighbors did not feel the same way.

Harry was a wealth of knowledge in many areas. No matter what the subject of conversation was Harry, more than likely, had studied the topic to contribute a bountiful amount of information. Harry was a self-taught savant and one would swear he had gone to college for years. In spite of all his talent and knowledge, Harry did not brag about his many accomplishments in life, such as his service in the United States Army where he earned the World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany).

SURVIVORS

Wife, Jane Sanetel, Seven children, Two step-children, Many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

New Life Bible Chapel (510 NW 4th Street) Saturday January 19, 2019 at 11:00 AM with a Luncheon to follow.  Pastor Larry Steller and Pastor Ron Hemphill will be officiating.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

May be made to the New Life Bible Chapel through Whispering Pines Funeral Home -  3168 NE 3rd Street - Prineville, Oregon  97754     (541) 416-9733   www.whisperingpinesfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.