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Harold L. Round died on Dec. 10, 2008, at the age of 97, at Evergreen Retirement Community. Harold was born on Oct. 20, 1911, in Baltimore, Maryland, the first child of Etta and Solomon Round. He attended the Baltimore public schools and then went to Johns Hopkins University, graduating in June 1832. This was during the Depression and work was hard to find. Harold worked for Social Services in Baltimore and the, using his wood working skills, opened a furniture refinishing shop.

On June 20, 1954, he married Claire Friedman, and the following May, his beloved son, Alfred, was born. Two years later, Harold and Claire decided that he would return to Johns Hopkins and work towards a Ph.D. degree. He was accepted in their Ph.D. program and for several years went to school part-time and refinished furniture part-time.

In November 1964, he received a Ph.D. degree, having majored in Semitic languages. In November 1965, his beloved daughter, Alice, was born. Harold had a strong background in religious studies, and in September 1966, he accepted a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, working in the English Department and introducing a course “The Bible as Literature.” When the Religious Studies Department was founded at UWO, he taught courses in that department also. Harold’s career at UWO spanned 20 years, and he taught his last classes in 1986.

Harold was a member of the Congregation B’nai Israel and served as its president for six years, 1970-1976.

Harold is survived by Claire, his beloved wife of 54 years, and by his beloved son, Alfred, of Berkeley, Calif. He is further survived by his sister, Esther Rosenthal, Baltimore, Md., and sister-in-law Naomi Ginsberg, Baltimore, Md. He also is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was predeceased in death by his parents, his beloved daughter, Alice, his sister Beulah Elving and brother Simeon Round.

A graveside service will be on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, at Lakeview Cemetery at noon.  There will be a memorial service at noon on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 at Congregation B’nai Israel, 1121 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Evergreen Care Assurance Fund or Congregation B’nai Israel.