Leslie (Lee) Fremont Harrod
July 3, 1925-March 31, 2012
Menlo Park, California

Leslie "Lee" Fremont Harrod of Menlo Park passed away at home, in the company of his wife, sitting by the fireplace at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, March 31. He had been released from the hospital the previous day, following complications from pneumonia.

Lee was born on July 3, 1925, in San Diego, Calif., to Leslie Sr. and Loretta Harrod. He had a powerful love for sailing and, following a stint with the Sea Scouts, he enlisted in the Navy. During World War II he served aboard the supply vessel Melville and was stationed in London during the "Little Blitz" in the autumn of 1943.

Following the war, he moved to San Francisco where he met his wife, Betty Lou "Pick" Kemp and became a reporter for the San Francisco Daily News.

Following several years in the newspaper business, Lee received a contractor's license and directed his focus toward home building and remodeling. His business, known as Factotum, served Bay Area homes for over 25 years.

Along with his lifelong passion for boats and sailing, he was a committed conservationist, outdoorsman, scoutmaster (Troop 91, Redwood City), bird watcher and amateur historian.

Lee is survived by his wife of 63 years; his twin sister, Laurel Pietsch (Tony); daughters, Lisa Harrod-Texeira (Don), Leslie Harrod Fish (Jim); son, Paul Kemp Harrod (Joanna); grandchildren, Claire (Matthew), Brooke (David), Max (Carly) and Spencer (Corey). He has three great grandchildren: Sagan, Felix and Isadora.

Arrangements have been made with The Neptune Society to scatter his ashes at sea.

Tags: veteran, business