Harvey Lee Barnett
Mar. 6th 1937-April 5th 2022
Resident of Cupertino
Harvey Lee Barnett of Cupertino passed on April 5th, 2022 at the age of 85. He is survived by Celia, his wife of 61 years, brother David, sister Daryl, daughter Lisa, and son Joel, his wife Maureen, and his beloved granddaughters Berkeley and Carly.
Born in Los Angeles to Beryl and Irene Barnett, Harvey graduated from Van Nuys high school in 1954. He received a bachelor’s degree in education and social science in 1958, as part of the first graduating class of San Fernando Valley State College (Cal State Northridge ) and continued there to earn his Masters in Curriculum and Administration.
He became a teacher, and his career took him to the Dominican Republic, Simi Valley, Yuba City, Davis, and Pacifica, ending up in Cupertino, where he became a principal. Harvey partnered with Apple Computer to develop the first Classroom of Tomorrow at Steven’s Creek Elementary School and moved on to a position in the district as Cupertino School districts’ Director of Technology until he retired in 1997. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a Fellow with the Charles Kettering Foundation and a member of various Advisory Boards and Committees.
Harvey had many passions in life, including travel, fine wine and food, live musicals, skiing and collecting Dopey memorabilia. Though he and his wife Celia did not travel outside of California until they were married, together they traveled the world. They went on educational based trips to China and Cuba and various trips through the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Harvey’s biggest passion was volunteering. Though he had served on various boards while working, when he retired, he committed himself to his local community. He was a Child Advocate for Casa of Silicon Valley, he volunteered with West Valley Community Services every Wednesday afternoon, and he joined the Rotary Club of Cupertino. Eager to be involved, from 2003-2009 he was a WVCS board member, including a stint as board chair in 2007. At Rotary, he chaired the annual Dr. Seuss Reading Day event for many years and in his last few years was responsible for “Inspiration” during the regular meetings.
One of his inspirations was “People often forget what you say or do, but they never forget how you make them feel.” It was important to him that people always felt seen, celebrated, and encouraged. This was something that he lived, always celebrating the accomplishments of his family and friends’ and letting them know they were loved.
With the messages and tributes that came in upon his passing, it was obvious that people fondly remembered how Harvey made them feel.
Harvey lived a wonderful life, traveled the world, and made a difference in his community. He will be missed.
Harvey would have appreciated donations in his honor to his favorite charities, including West Valley Community Services, CASA of Silicon Valley and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF).
View the online memorial for Harvey Lee Barnett
Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on May 15, 2022.
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