Harold "Hal" Guard
Obituaries
Daily Sentinal page 5C - February 27, 2022
Dr. Harold
“Hal” Guard
August 7, 1917 - January 5, 2022
After 104 years of a
life well lived, Hal passed
away peacefully at his
home in Palisade with
family and dog, “Bunny,”
by his side.
Harold was born in
Aurora, Nebraska, to Roy and Clara Guard and was
the oldest son of five children. He graduated from high
school in 1936, Hastings College in 1942 and medical
school at the University of Nebraska in 1945. He served
in the Army medical corps from 1946-1954. Just two
months before he was sent to the Pacific Theatre he
married nursing student, Joan Wisman, to whom he
was devotedly married for 53 years. After his service
in Guam, he was sent to Frankfurt, Germany where he
was Chief of Pediatrics at the 97th General Hospital.
After the war he was stationed at Fitzsimmons Hospital
in Denver.
Dr. Guard was a widely respected pediatrician in
Denver for 50 years and volunteered for the Shriner’s
Hospital for Children. He and Joan raised four children
together and after she passed in November of 2003,
he moved to Palisade to help his son farm their peach
orchard.
Harold cared for many people in his life. He was a
faithful member of the Methodist church and was the
oldest living Eagle Scout in Colorado. He was always
learning and enjoyed reading, birdwatching and was
happiest spending time with family and riding around
on his mower in the orchard.
Harold is survived by his children, Cory Whitmore
of Santa Fe, Neil Guard (Diane) of Palisade, Jeff Guard
(Tracy) of Denver and Adrienne Bethancourt (Randy)
of Houma, LA; three grandchildren and many loving
relatives and friends who will miss him immensely.
The family wishes to thank Nightingales Home Care,
HopeWest and the Veteran’s Administration for their
wonderful care.
At his request, there will be a memorial in the orchard
near Palisade when the peaches are in bloom. He will be
interred with his wife at Ft. Logan Cemetery in Denver.
Donations can be made to HopeWest Hospice,
Palisade United Methodist Church or your local Scout
troop
