Lyle Harper, Jr., 84; A 57-Year Resident

Lyle Harper, Jr., a resident of Pacific Palisades since 1947, died on May 30 at the age of 84. Known as ‘Hap’ since college days because of his happy nature, he greeted everyone with a smile. He was a quiet gentleman of the old school. Born and raised in Chicago, Lyle was the first son of Lyle Harper, Sr. and Katharine Cornell Harper. He graduated from Berkshire Preparatory School in Sheffield, Massachusetts in 1938 and earned a B.A. degree in political science from the University of Chicago in 1942. He was in the glee club, lettered in pole vaulting, enjoyed skiing and joined Alpha Delta Pi fraternity. Hap joined the Navy, graduated from OCS, and on March 6, 1943 he married Roberta Stratton Lane of Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was assigned to San Pedro Naval Base and served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He and Roberta had a daughter, Kit, and a son, Lyle III, and in 1947 they settled in Pacific Palisades. There they became active members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. They spent many happy hours camping in the national forests, playing bridge, and roasting hot dogs on the beach. Hap loved Santa Monica Bay, body surfing, and walking and driving on the coast. He was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed history, WWII biographies, and Michener. He first read the Bible through while in the Navy and began a lifelong practice of reading it daily. He worked with Palisades youth as coach of the Pronto Market Little League baseball team, leader of Boy Scout Troop 485, and skipper of Sea Scout Ship 90. He retired from UCLA after 29 years in inventory management. Harper was predeceased by his wife and by his brother, Peter Gray Harper. He is survived by his children, Katharine Harper Ash of Vancouver, Washington, and Lyle Harper III of Cambria; grandchildren Jennifer Ash Peterson, Capt. Edward Preston Ash, Lauren Stratton Harper and Kelsey Mei Harper; and great-grandchildren Eric Wesley Peterson and Ian Harper Peterson. A memorial service will be held on July 8 at 4 p.m. at St. Matthew’s. Donations may be made to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 37, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.