Harold Fryslie

Harold Fryslie was born in Glasgow, Montana on May 30, 1929 to parents Oscar and Nora (Hansen) Fryslie of Scobey, Montana. Harold attended Scobey schools through the second grade when the family moved to Glendive, Montana in 1936. In 1944, when Harold was a high school sophomore, the family moved to Bozeman. He graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1947. After attending Montana State College for three years, he enlisted in Hq Hq Co., 163d regimental Combat Team, Montana National Guard on June 23, 1948. On September 15, 1950, then Sergeant Fryslie, was transferred to 210th Engr. Combat Co., 163rd RCT and served as 1st Sergeant until April 9, 1951 when he was promoted to Warrant Officer W-1 and assigned as Unit Administrator. Upon reorganization of the Montana Army National Guard on February 28, 1953, General Fryslie was assigned to Hq Hq Troop, 2nd Battalion, 163rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. During the period of February 28, 1953 to March, 1965 he served with this unit as Headquarters Commandant, (S-1) Adjutant, (S-2) Intelligence Officer, (S-3) Operations and Training Officer, (S-4) Logistics Officer and Executive Officer. In July, 1972, General Fryslie assumed command of 1st Squadron 163rd ACR with the grade of lieutenant Colonel. On December 15, 1973 he assumed command of the 163rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, continuing until October, 15 1976 when he was transferred to Headquarters Det. Montana National Guard and assigned as Director of Personnel and Administration. He was promoted to Colonel on January, 29 1975. On July 13, 1979 he was assigned as Assistance Adjutant General, Army for Montana and promoted to Brigadier General. Harold was married to Alice Johansen on March 3, 1961 in Helena, bringing together four children from previous marriages. Outside of Harold#8217;s military career, he was President of the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce. He became Assistant City Manager of Bozeman in January, 1960 and in 1968 was appointed as City Manager until 1976. He very much enjoyed his years in Bozeman and took pride in the advancement and many improvements Bozeman enjoyed during those years under what he recalled as a long line of terrific City Commissioners. Harold was offered and accepted the Governor#8217;s appointment as Director of the Montana Department of Community Affairs (now Department of Commerce) in January, 1977. He remained in that position until a change of State Administration in 1981. Harold and Alice decided it was time to pack up and take a sabbatical from a busy life in business and government. They acquired a pickup truck with a fifth-wheel RV trailer that was occupied as their full time home for the next two years while traveling about the United States and Eastern Canadian Provinces. In 1983, Harold and Alice settled in Fountain Hills, Arizona where he returned to employment as Executive Director of a 360-acre residential development known as The Lakes in Tempe. In 1989, the couple decided to return to Bozeman as their permanent home while spending a good part of each winter in Arizona. Harold has held membership for many years in: Hope Lutheran Church; Bozeman Elk#8217;s Lodge 463; Lodge #18 AF Bozeman Rotary Club, President in 1966; Montana National Guard Association, President n 1969 and a Life Member of the National Guard Association of the U.S. Chairman of The Montana Land Use Planning Advisory Committee in 1969; Chairman of The Governor#8217;s Local Government Advisory Council 1974-1976. During recent years his primary interests have been playing golf, caring for his yard and enjoying the progress of his family. He views his wife Alice as his best friend, partner in all things and love of his life. Harold was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lester. Survivors include: One sister, Norma (Phil) Finch of Granada Hills, CA and sister-in-law, Helen Fryslie of Dayton, Ohio; children, Cynthia Nelson of Belgrade, Montana; Alan (Jackie) Fryslie of Ronan, Montana; Denise (Cliff) Willis of St. Louis, MO; and David (Phyllis) Johansen of Bozeman; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials in his name may be made to Hospice of Southwest Montana, c/o Bozeman Deaconess Foundation, 931 Highland Blvd, Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715 or to a charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Hope Lutheran Church. Interment with military rites will follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery.