Harold Wayne Ludwick

by Diana Ludwick

For fifty-four years he was my sweetheart. Harold Ludwick and I met at the Bakersfield Californian when I was the new office girl and he was the Commercial Printing Manager. Yes, he was older than I, but we had a lot in common, including our Christian faith. The first thing I noticed about him was his a wonderful voice.

Harold was the firstborn in a loving and musical, Christian family. His Dad, a minister, had a deep, rich, resonant voice. Whenever he spoke or sang, it seemed that even the angels stopped to listen.

Mom played the piano and sang. There was always music in the home and little Harold, "Sonny" was singing on his father's Christian radio program by the time he was five. As he grew, he and his brothers and sisters sang at church often and performed at weddings and funerals as well. Any one of them could have become a professional singer.

Harold was a veteran. He joined the Navy in 1951. "No" they said, "We don't need another saxophonist in the Navy band." Instead, he became a radioman on a ship bound for Korea. He never saw action, but enjoyed photographing the scenery and local children during his time off.

When we met in 1966, he had a Printing degree from Cal Poly and had been married and divorced with four children. We married in 1967 and had two little girls of our own.

Harold was still in the printing field when a friend, who was principal at their old High School, offered a job teaching printing and photography. So off to Fallon, Nevada we went. There was a new challenge every day. He enjoyed his students and taught for nearly thirty years. We also had a photo studio for seven years.

Harold was honest and gentle, intelligent and confident, but humble. He could succeed at almost anything he tried. He was a printer, but also sang, played the saxophone, and somehow got perfect photos when nothing on the camera was automatic.

He was a good man, a talented man, a Godly man. And he is still my sweetheart.

Harold Wayne Ludwick
Born December 19, 1931 in Portland, OR
to Harold Jonathan and Leeta Pearl Ludwick
Died on October 10, 2021 in Bakersfield, CA

Survived by his wife, Diana Pauline Ludwick
Brother, Albert Ludwick and his wife, Frassie
Sister, Carolyn and her husband, Ken Huebner

Son, David Wayne Ludwick of Lakeside, CA and wife, Jena
Son, Steven Earl Ludwick of Henderson, NV and wife, Sonia
Daughter, Janis Ruth Robertson of Tunica, MS
Daughter, Tami Jean Ludwick of Sparks, NV
Daughter, Susan Elizabeth Harrison of Fernley, NV and husband, Charlie
Daughter, Caryn Louise Nihoa of Fallon, NV - recent widow of David K. Nihoa
And numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Please join us for a celebration of Harold's life on January 20, 2022 at 1:00pm at Valley Baptist Church 4800 Fruitvale Avenue.