Harry was born on April 7, 1931, along with his identical twin brother, Richard, in Newark, New Jersey, to the late Harry and Florence Gebhardt. As a boy he would go to the West Orange Armory, New Jersey to watch the indoor polo matches and help walk out the polo ponies. Here his love of horses began. He served four years of active duty with the elite 82nd Airborne Division (3rd Brigade Combat Team, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment) during the Korean War conflict, achieving Ranger and Master Parachutist status as well as holding the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). In a ceremony in Bennettsville, South Carolina, while he was stationed at Fort Bragg, he married Jeanne Gumport on July 21, 1951. Following Harry’s honorable discharge from the army, he was employed by Rheingold Breweries while also serving as a volunteer fireman in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. There Harry and Jeanne raised their daughter, Karen, and two sons, William and Steven, before moving to Pompton Plains, New Jersey, where Harry was a long-standing member of the American Legion Post 242. In addition to being an excellent marksman, enjoying archery, and the outdoors, Harry was an accomplished equestrian and horse trainer, competing in many shows. In 1964 he became involved with the Junior Essex Troop of Cavalry in West Orange, New Jersey, serving as Horsemanship Director and Commandant. In 1974, along with his son, William, Harry re-enlisted with the National Guard (141st Transportation Unit). After their Unit disbanded, they transferred to the 50th Armored Division (2nd Battalion, 102nd Armored Regiment). Later in life, Harry retired to Whiting, New Jersey, with his dear companion, Lorraine Smith. This is where he adopted his beloved dog, Breenie, from the Pop Corn Park Zoo, an animal rescue facility in Forked River, New Jersey.
Preceding Harry’s passing was his brother, Jim Clark, his dear sister, Audrey Clark Alford, his twin brother, Richard and his devoted and loving companion of forty years, Lorraine Smith.
Harry is survived by his three adult children and their spouses, Karen and Robert McGuckin, William and Kathleen Gebhardt, Steven and Sharon Gebhardt, his grandchildren and their spouses, Ryan James and Heather McGuckin, Kyle and Lisa Gebhardt, Alyssa and Zac Alldredge and their children Ella and Nora, his brother-in-law John Bannon, and his sister, Debbie Gebhardt Haney.
There will be a private family viewing at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home followed immediately by a burial with Military Honors at Whiting Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Whiting, New Jersey, on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. In lieu of Flowers the family respectfully request considering a donation to the Pop Corn Park Zoo. 1 Humane Way Forked River, NJ 08731
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