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He completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Ohio State University, after which he enlisted in the Nave as a pharmacist’s mate and was stationed at Klamath Falls Marine barracks where he worked to develop a cure for malaria developing anti-malarial drugs for the Allied troops that did not require quinine. It was here he met and married his wife of more than 60 years, Katherine Patricia “Pat” Sexton and fell in love with the West. He then attended Harvard Medical School and then received his Master’s from UC Berkeley after which he enrolled in the Range Management Ph.D. program at UC Davis.
By the early 1950s, he and Pat settled permanently in California, landing first in the Bay Area where they welcomed daughter, Kathleen, and then moving to Carmichael, where the family remained. Hal went to work for the State of California, holding positions at the Department of Fish and Game studying deer nutrition, the Department of Water Resources, where he worked as a marine biologist and where he chaired the California Coastal Commission in the 1960’s which ensured that access to coastal California would be available to everyone. He also sat on the California state board overseeing the Nuclear Power Plant siting. He always considered it a privilege to serve the people of California in ensuring access to nature. He considered the Rancho Seco Park in south Sacrament County one of his many successes in that his was the tie-breaking vote to place a public park at the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant site. He considered it a privilege to serve the people of California in ensuring access to nature. He eventually left state service to join Jones and Stokes Environmental Consultants.
Hal devoted much of his life to the enthusiastic sampling of what the world has to offer, from watercolor painting and photography to religious philosophy, poetry, physics, camping, and opera. He was active in a variety of social and cultural organizations, including a decades-long membership in a local book club, where he fostered deep and long-lasting friendships.
Hal gathered around him people who shared his enthusiasms. First and foremost, Pat and Kathleen, and later in life, after Pat’s death, his second wife, Helen Livingston, and after Helen’s death, his dear friend Elizabeth Solomon. He was adored by his four grandchildren, with whom he enjoyed close relationships, and was a beloved figure to his extended family and a roster of devoted friends.
He had only kind words for everyone and everyone was always welcome in his home. He will leave a major void in his circle of friends and family. He donated his body to the UC Davis School of Medicine in the hope that this act may somehow bring improvements to lives of others and to continue the education of the next generation of scientists.
He is survived by his sister, daughter, grandchildren and their spouses, seven great-grandchildren, and many other family members. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a donation to an educational, scientific, or cultural organization of your choice in his name.
The family would like to request any memories or thoughts about Harold sent to the email below to be shared at a future memorial: HalBissell@gmail.com
A private Celebration of Life will be held at a date in January.