Harley Lee Young

Harley L. Young, 90, passed away peacefully on December 6th comforted by family and listening to his favorite jazz music.

Harley was born on February 19th 1934 in Harrisburg, Illinois, to Lucy Lee (Meadows) and Harley Ray Young. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Illinois, Carbondale where he met the love of his life, Patricia (née Gowan). While stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska their daughters, Catherine and Janet were born.

Most of Harley’s career was spent working for the U.S. Geological Survey as a Hydrologist. He worked in multiple states and countries which spurred Harley to travel extensively throughout his career and retirement. Pat and Harley enjoyed visiting over 20 countries together, attending numerous ElderHostel and service-based trips, and participating in archeological digs.

After returning to the U.S. from living in Pakistan, Harley and Pat “settled down” in Madison, WI in 1967. Madison would end up serving as their home base despite their future stints abroad in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Harley was passionate about giving back to others. He volunteered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, and was a Deacon at First Baptist Church. He was a staunch supporter of environmental and social causes.

He was always eager for a new challenge or adventure: he learned coding in the early 70’s to create models for aquifers, enjoyed SCUBA diving, and could learn to solve anything – whether it was a problem in life or something needing fixing around the house.

Harley enjoyed spending time with family and friends, taking care of the property they moved to upon retirement, and watching Wisconsin sports. In his later years, his primary focus as a devoted husband was to take care of his beloved Patricia after she suffered a stroke in 2015.

Harley was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Patricia Young; daughter Janet Kasinski; and great-grandson Stephen Foster. He is survived by his sister, Betty (Ron) Ide; daughter, Catherine Dohs; granddaughters Josephine (Mark) Ingram and Anna (Erik) Johannes; great granddaughter Kailynn Foster.

Celebration of Life service will be held at First Baptist Church of Madison, 518 N. Franklin Ave, Madison, WI February 22 at 1 o'clock. It will be live streamed at firstbaptistmadison.org. Just scroll down, click on Live. To watch at a later date scroll down, click on Past services, click on Playlist then click on Memorial Services.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made at Smile Train.

https://www.mysmiletrain.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=3780

Ashes to be interred at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon, WI.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434