Obituary: Harold Charles Firl
Author: Family of Harold Charles Firl
Article Published: 10/16/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 15Harold Charles Firl
Family of Harold Charles Firl
Harold Charles Firl, age 89, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, in Helena, Montana, at the Mt. Ascension Transitional Care after a severe stroke in February.
Harold was born December 30, 1936, in Brooklyn, NY, to the late Walter Firl and Alice Mathilde Wilhelmine Firl (née Kolass). He carried with him a rich family legacy of hard work, a love of nature, and most of all, a deep-seated faith in our Lord Jesus.
His father and mother originally departed Bremen, Germany, and arrived in the United States aboard the Sierra Ventana on April 28, 1926. Walter and Alice were later married in New York on April 17, 1930. After Harold was born, the family returned to the Kolass family home in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, where they stayed for the next 20 years, through WWII.
On June 1, 1957, Harold arrived back in New York as a U.S. citizen aboard the MS Stockholm from Bremerhaven, and established his home address in Castro Valley, California. It was there, at the local Methodist Church, that Harold met the love of his life, Sandra Kaye Mobley. The two were married on February 28, 1960, beginning a beautiful partnership that spanned over 66 years. In 1970, Harold and Sandra relocated their growing family from Castro Valley to Newark, California. They spent the next three decades raising their children side by side.
In 2000, they both retired and moved to the peaceful surroundings of Townsend, Montana, to enjoy their well earned retirement years together.
A tool and die maker by trade, Harold completed his professional apprenticeship in Germany, developing a high level of precision and craftsmanship that defined his career.
A lifelong faithful churchgoer, his spiritual journey spanned continents and eras—from completing his Methodist confirmation in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, to serving as an elder at Mountain Valley Church in Townsend, Montana. He lived his life with a servant’s heart, always standing as a steadfast defender of the weak. He held a deep love and respect for his German ancestry, a heritage of strength that he proudly carried with him every day. He leaves a lasting legacy of love for God and nature that continues on through his grandchildren, and his family will forever cherish the memories of early morning walks at Coyote Hills and camping trips to Yosemite Valley, Death Valley, and French Meadows.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his six children, Kenneth (Ewa) Firl, Walter Firl, Leslie (Bridgetta) Firl, Michael (Julie) Firl, Ethan Firl, and Charmian (Alex) Debernard. His 11 grandchildren are Rachel, Samuel, Lucas, Jared, Gideon (Colleen), Sabrina, Elijah, Ashley, Nathan (Britten), Olivia, and Constance and his 3 great grandchildren are Emmett, Josephina, and Spencer. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Firl; his mother, Alice Middleton, and her husband, Dudley Middleton; and his older brother, Gerhard Firl.
A memorial service for family and friends is being arranged for Spring of 2027.
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