[quote style=”2″]Harkenrider Retires After More than 50 Years of Service[/quote]
Friends, family and colleagues gathered Monday evening to wish Mr. Hermiston – otherwise known as Frank Harkenrider – a happy retirement.
The occasion was what Hermiston City Councilor Jackie Myers referred to as Harkenrider’s “third retirement party.” With Harkenrider having turned 88 years old on Christmas Day, however, this one might be for real. Harkie – as he is affectionately known – attended his final meeting as a voting member of the city council on Dec. 22. His first city council meeting was in January 1959. Other than a couple of gaps in service, Harkenrider has been involved with city government as either councilor or mayor for more than half a century.
(‘ELVIS’ TAKES HOME DISCO BALL TROPHY)
“It was a privilege following in my father’s footsteps and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. His father, George, served as Hermiston mayor from January 1955 to December 1956. Harkie served five terms as mayor throughout the 1990s.
“We’re here today to honor Mr. Hermiston,” said Hardin. “With Frank, it’s always been what’s best for Hermiston.” Hardin then read off a long list of adjectives used over the years to describe Harkenrider: colorful, unique, controversial, crazy, hyper, courageous, the Energizer Bunny, loyal, ambassador, and more.
“He’s one of a kind and we’ll never see another one like him,” said Hardin.
Hardin then acknowledged Harkenrider’s wife of 60 years, Bev.
“Frank was born on Christmas and married an angel,” he said. “To be married to Frank for 60 years, you would have to be an angel.”
Donna Moeller with the city of Hermiston said she would miss driving Harkenrider to meetings.
“You can come by any time and get him,” piped up Bev Harkenrider.
Hermiston Librarian Marie Baldo, who served as commander of the Umatilla Chemical Depot from 1995 to 1997, said Frank was well known throughout the Pentagon.
“I’d be on the phone with them telling them what Frank was up to and they’d say, ‘He did what!’” said Baldo. “He was instrumental in allowing the Army to get the permit it needed to destroy the chemical weapons,” she said.
Hardin said Harkenrider’s fingerprints are all over the city of Hermiston.
Among those present Monday was Tom Harper, the city’s first city manager. Harkenrider said casting a vote to hire Harper was the best move he ever made on the city council.
“Before Tom Harper, our meetings would go until 11 p.m. or midnight,” Harkenrider said. “He took care of all that and we stopped arguing and started getting things done.”
Harper thanked Harkenrider for putting up with him during his 26 years as city manager.
“We had a good time working together and building this city,” Harper said.
Harkenrider told the gathering that he’ll miss being involved in city government.
“I’ve had the time of my life and have enjoyed working with all of you,” he said. “And I’m most proud of the fact that Hermiston just keeps on growing. It’s the largest city in Eastern Oregon and it will keep on growing.”
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