Harry Jerome Hyman

Harry Jerome Hyman, 97, of Davenport, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2014 at the Kahl Home. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-6 pm at the Runge Mortuary. Funeral services will be Friday, February 21, 2014 at 11:00 am at the National Cemetery in Rock Island, IL, where burial will follow. Friends may meet at the funeral home by 10:15 am Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus or Iowa Public Television. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com

Harry was born January 14, 1917 in New York City; the only son of Jules and Francis (Kruger) Hyman. He graduated from City College of New York and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He was called to active duty in 1940 and remained on active duty until his retirement in 1968 as a Lt. Colonel at the Rock Island Arsenal. He continued working at the Arsenal and retired from government service as the Director of Contracting Services in 1997.

He was united in marriage to Muriel R. O’Connor on April 26, 1942 in New York City; she preceded him in death in 1994.

Harry may be remembered by many as the “Gingerbread Man.” His gingerbread houses for the neighborhood, turned into a massive undertaking as he created the entire gingerbread village at the Festival of Trees for many years.

Those left to honor his memory include his sons, Richard (Diane) and Stephen (Karen) and one granddaughter, Michelle.