Haskell Shapiro

Haskell Shapiro, a man who lived his life in the service of kindness and reason, and who deeply touched the hearts of those who knew him, passed away on February 4, 2008.

Born in Los Angeles, California, on June 10, 1921 to Abraham and Esther Shapiro, he was the older brother of Daniel Shapiro, with whom he attended Audubon Junior High and Manual Arts High School. Haskell went on to the California Institute of Technology, where he was awarded a B.S., an M.S. and, in 1957, a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. From 1941 through 1957, he was Section Chief in the Hydrodynamic Laboratory at Caltech. Thereafter, initially in a partnership and then individually with a team of dedicated associates, he had a long career as an engineering consultant in the fields of electronic instrumentation and applied mechanics.

Haskell was married to Alice Marie Curley, with whom he had two children, Lynn and Paul, and lived in Glendale, CA. After Alice died in 1957, he raised his children as a single parent until 1964, when he married Patricia Herzog, an attorney from Corona del Mar. Together with her two children, Charlie and Chris, they lived in Corona del Mar, sharing the challenges and joys of their blended family and the child they had together, Reid.

His wide-ranging interests included poetry and philately, literature and natural history, and the ongoing discoveries of science, from the sub-atomic to the cosmic. He was a lifelong supporter of a variety of organizations dedicated to protecting civil liberties, to preserving the environment, and to producing an informed public.

With his passing, he leaves his brother Daniel, his wife Patricia, their children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A celebration of his life will be held during an open house at the family home in Corona del Mar from 1 to 4 p.m. on February 28. In lieu of flowers, please contribute generously to the charities of your choice.