Posted on: Thursday, May 30, 2002

Harold Luscomb Jr., Hilo historian, dead at 76

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — The Lyman House Museum will close Saturday to allow staff and volunteers to attend the funeral of Harold Luscomb Jr., a familiar figure in downtown Hilo who loved sharing the area's history with residents and visitors alike.

Luscomb, a retired C. Brewer & Co. executive, died May 23 on O'ahu following heart surgery. He was 76.

He was deeply involved in preserving Hilo's past as a volunteer at the Lyman House Museum and helped launch the East Hawai'i Historical Society five years ago.

For the last 15 years, Luscomb could be spotted in his trademark blue-and-white palaka shirt, carrying a battery-powered speaker while conducting free daily tours of downtown Hilo on behalf of the museum, where he also served in the unpaid post of treasurer.

Steve Todd, who also helped establish the East Hawai'i Historical Society, said Luscomb was "the guy who got us going and helped us keep it going. He was the glue of the group. He was the last to give up and he was so generous."

Luscomb was born April 27, 1926, in Turtle Creek, Pa., but was reared in Hilo.

"He was so proud of Hilo. This is a true loss," said Dolly Strazar, chief administrator of the Lyman House Museum.

A funeral over ashes will start with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Funeral Home, followed by a service at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Lyman House Museum, Friends of the Library, or the Hawai'i Island Adult Care Center.

Luscomb is survived by his wife, Signe; sons, Chip and Peter; daughter, Peggy Ching; and three grandchildren.