Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home - Harold Sodamann

In Loving Memory of

Harold Sodamann

Services & Gatherings

Service:

Friday, June 24, 2016 at 11:00 AM

Graveside Service with military honors:

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Fontana Cemetery, 383rd & Osage Road, Fontana, KS, 66026

Harold Sodamann, 94, of St. George, Kansas, formerly of Paola, Kansas, passed away June 23, 2016 in Manhattan, Kansas.

Harold was born May 7, 1922 to Albert and Hettie Tenny Sodamann. His birth took place on the C. O. Tenny Homestead three miles east of Beagle, Kansas, where Harold spent every summer during all his grade school years. The home is still being lived in. His father worked as an electrical engineer at the Osawatomie State Hospital and Harold attended Plum Creek grade school through the seventh grade. He was fortunate to have had outstanding teachers in Gladys Roman, Hazel King and Bessie Wright. He attended the Osage township rural high school, where Chester Fleming encouraged him to become a teacher. He graduated in 1940.

In September 1940 he was the first member of his family to attend college. After one year, he received a certificate to teach school. At the end of three years he was drafted into the World War II armed service. He was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division and experienced action in New Guinea, the Philippines, and the occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged and returned home February 28, 1944. Following his arrival home, on March 17, he married Arlene Dalrymple. They attended high school together. They became the parents of three sons, David of Topeka, Mark and Paul of St. George. Arlene passed away on August 2, 2015 and they had been married for 71 years.

He returned to teaching in Fontana, Osawatomie, and Parker, Kansas. Along with teaching, he returned to Pittsburg State Teacher’s College and earned his BS and MS degrees and joined the administrative staff in Ottawa following his assignment with the Wellington, KS elementary schools, where he served as director of Elementary Education. During these years the State Department of Education appointed him to a committee that examined federal grants in education. It was the committee’s responsibility to approve those grants that would best serve the schools in the improvement of curriculum. As a part of these studies, he attended Emporia State University and received the Specialist in Education degree. With this curriculum background he was invited to join the staff at Ft. Hayes University where he taught Elementary Teachers. Due to aging relatives, they returned to Miami County where he acted as Director of Curriculum for Paola Public Schools.

During the 17 years that followed he became interested in aviculture. In his aviary he kept numerous kinds of cage birds. He pioneered many new colors in the canaries and as a result attended bird shows, studied the standards by which the birds are judged and was among the first persons granted the license to judge for the American Federation of Aviculture, the National Cage Bird Show, and the American Color Breeders Association; co-founder of International Gloster Breeders Association; co-founder of the International Old Variety Canary Association. He served as president of the National Cage Bird Society for seven years. The International Old Variety Canary Association has a prestigious award known as the Harold Sodamann Award which has been given annually for the past seven years.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Arlene, parents and a sister Dorothy Mills of Warrensburg, MO. Surviving are his three sons David of Topeka, Mark (Fran) and Paul (Cindy) of St. George, Kansas, and a sister Evelyn Wheatcroft of Liberal, KS, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fontana Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Jerry Tooley, 35285 Hedge Lane, Paola, KS 66071.

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Memories & Condolences

Always liked seeing Harold at the Ohio National. Not only was he a great "canary" man but he loved seeing the various breeds of poultry and domestic waterfowl at that show. He shared his knowledge and love of canaries about 15 years ago, and everyone who was fortunate enough to attend that meeting thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. He lead a very rich and rewarding life.

~ Terry Smith - July 17, 2016

I will always remember Mr. Sodamann. My days of elementary at the old north school of Paola were always greeted with a smile and a genuine interest in my well being and education. He was a great man and he will be greatly missed.

~ Chuck Wells - July 12, 2016

I would like to send my condolences for the family and friends of Mr. Sodamann. I remember when my father died, how much it hurt.
A friend sent this verse that really helped: Acts 24:15 where" there will be a resurrection of the righteous." I will remember your family in my prayers tonight.

~ M D - July 11, 2016

Harold Sodamann was a person with many facets; teacher, mentor, friend and had a sharp wit that didn't quit. My friend and mentor. He influenced and taught many people about birds Always teaching even when telling stories. When I first started with canaries, he wrote a monthly column in American Cage Bird Magazine that I had to read every month. Harold and Arlene were both splendid artists with fabric and thread in the art of quilting. True works of art. We will all miss him, but Harold is now free of the bonds of time, age and illness. My sympathy to the Sodamann Family and to the family of friends.

~ Deborah Eaton - June 27, 2016

I met Mr. Sodaman through my husband Roger doing service work for him. He was always so nice and I loved listening to hear him talk about his birds. Sorry for your family's loss.
Glenda and Roger Wright

~ Glenda Wright - June 27, 2016

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of another friend in the fancy. Harold made a difference in the hobby in so many ways. Igba gloster club would not exist if not for Harold and for that gloster breeders should always be thankful. Harold was president of the NCBS for many years and was a major writer for American Cage Bird Magazine. He was s kind man who helped so many people and he paid it forward as they saying goes . God bless.

~ Candace & Ron Pezzuti - June 27, 2016

Aviculture has lost a great friend. Harold's love for birds, especially Canaries, touched so many of his friends in the hobby. He was a trusted source that many people relied on. A mentor, confidant, leader and friend.
I had the pleasure of meeting Harold at my first NCBS show at Kansas City in 1981. I was honored to have served under him on the NCBS Board for years and seeing him at the Dayton show was a thrill. He so loved our show and everyone loved him.
I will miss seeing that smirk on your face that made everyone wonder what you were thinking. Rest in peace sir. You will not be forgotten.

Gary Morgan and Denise Cook

~ Gary Morgan - June 27, 2016

I knew Harold Sodamann at Ft. Hays State while studying to become an elementary teacher. In 1967, I was awarded a Fellowship while working toward my Master's Degree. I was assigned to Mr. Sodamann and worked with him in his office on various tasks--and several times got to help teach a class or two with him. He was a wonderful, caring teacher and was liked by both students and colleagues. I remember once when I was invited to his house, along with my husband who was also a student, and met his wife and went down to the basement and saw the many colorful canaries in their cages. Such an interesting hobby! I am glad to see that Mr. Sodamann had a long and fruitful life! It is still very hard to lose one's father. I send my sympathy to all his family members.

~ Janet Spangenberg - June 26, 2016

Dearest Paul and Cindy,

We were sad to hear of the death of your dad. I met him only once but remember that time very vividly. He was very kind. Cindy always talked about what an amazing bird man he was and such an interesting father in law. I know you will miss him but find comfort in knowing that he is not tied down to earth in a body that no longer serves him. Our love to you and to Harold in his new glorious journey.

Lyn and Anne Kufahl

~ Anne Kufahl - June 25, 2016

My heart is heavy... Rest in peace my long time friend. I will remember your laughter and smile always. -- Blessings to those family and friends who were close to Harold.

~ Patsy Hance - June 24, 2016

Mark, I'm sorry for your loss, your Dad was a very special man.

~ Larry Duch - June 24, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Have thought of Mr. Sodamann so often. He and my husband Ralph were such good friends. I got several canaries from him and he and Ralph always went to bird shows and talked birds. Ralph passed in May of 2014.

~ Donna Ray - June 24, 2016

We are sorry for your loss. Your dad was a special man. We lived next door to him an your mom from 1978 to 1989. I'm sure he had a few stories about the neighbor kids. Our boys loved to watch all the animals he had. The funniest story was when they over threw a ball ( maybe intentional) and climbed the fence to get it. Well, Harold had nesting call ducks and the male was a little aggressive. Before he could get too far into the pen the duck had latched onto the front of his shorts, it was cloth only because he managed to get the ball and get out, but they didn't climb the fence anymore. Your dad threw allot of balls back over the fence to our house after that. He always had a good laugh watching them. May he and Arlene rest in peace, they were well thought of in Paola.

~ Patricia Sullivan - June 24, 2016