Harriett Elizabeth Porch

Harriett E. Porch, a native of Canon City, died on August 14, 2023, in California.  She was born in Canon Jan. 24, 1925, attended local schools, graduating in the CCHS class of 1943.  Her brothers, Bill and Edwin, graduated in earlier classes.  Another brother, Jimmy, died shortly after she was born.

The family owned, and operated, the Rainbow Lake Club at Hillside each summer and her father was an owner of the Cloverdale Mines, several miles above the resort. She and her parents moved to Denver during the war, where she worked and attended Parks Business College.  In 1950, she joined the Naval Reserve, serving on active duty from 1951-1953.  She remained in the Reserves, retiring as a Captain in 1985.

Using the GI bill, she earned a BSBA and MBA degrees from DU, while working in the Safety Dept. at United Air Lines.  They transferred her to Los Angeles in 1959. Switching careers, she worked for The RAND Corp.  11 years as an editor and transportation researcher then moved into academia in teaching and administration with Pepperdine University and the Univ. of Southern California.

In 1985, Harriett took early retirement from USC to go into the earthquake preparedness business.  Her company became one of the premier suppliers until she closed it in 1995.  A member of many professional organizations, she gave presentations on preparedness to schools, hospitals, and civic groups and was an active leader in a support group for the hard of hearing.

She is survived by niece Elizabeth Ann Porch, nephew James Porch, and sister-in-law Jacqueline Porch, all of the state of Washington; nephew William W. Porch, his wife Ena, and daughters Ena Whitney and MaryAnn of Oklahoma City.  Her parents and brothers preceded her in death.

Graveside services Monday, September 11, 2023 at 11:00am will be conducted by Diane Rose of the local Christian Science Church at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City.

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