Our team is celebrating the life of long-time client and dear friend June Harcum, who died in December at the age of 91.
A native of Cincinnati, June was the only child to her father, an electrician, and her mother, a secretary. She graduated from Madeira High School and then pursued a teaching degree at Wilmington College (the post-war baby boom had begun, and teachers were very much in demand). It was also there that she met her future husband, Dave. Married in 1953, June taught elementary school while Dave coached and taught, eventually becoming a school superintendent. Dave then made a mid-career change, establishing the Harcum Insurance Company which had great success offering liability coverage to school districts all over Ohio.
Their great life story was built around their family (daughter Beth (Jad) Dubberly and Joe (Sammy) Harcum and granddaughter Katie), wide ranging travel and service to others. Wonderful memories with family were often made at Past Perfect, the name they gave to their weekend retreat home at Hide-Away Hills in Hocking Hills, a home they had for over 40 years. And during their retirement years June and Dave traveled throughout the United States and to 70 countries, sending post cards at every stop from “the Bugs” (the family name given them). June once shared that their most fascinating excursion was an “Around the World” tour where they flew to 11 countries. They always enjoyed new experiences and loved opportunities to learn and benefit from all the world has to offer.
Strong believers in giving back and committed to making a difference in children’s lives, Dave and June helped found Harcum House, a Child Advocacy Center in Fairfield County dedicated to helping investigate and prosecute physical and sexual child abuse. They also established the Abuse Prevention Fund (administered through the Fairfield County Foundation), to address concerns regarding all types of abuse in nearby communities. More recently, and after moving to Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in 2011, June and Dave were the primary donors to the Wesley Ridge Harcum Fitness and Aquatic Center which includes a fitness center, gym, pool, exercise studio, community space and café; they also created a scholarship fund to help employees advance their career aspirations. One recipient came to June’s funeral and shared with Beth that the scholarship he received literally “changed my life.” Even after Dave’s passing in 2018, June stayed involved with her Hide-Away and Lancaster communities, volunteering at the Fairfield Medical Center, the Methodist Twig 7, and the Lancaster Foundation.
Dave and June received many awards for their philanthropy and volunteer work and in 2014 June was awarded the prestigious Athena Award by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce for her activism and support. June’s and Dave’s lives were even featured in Nothing is Inconsequential, a book published by Wilmington College sharing the life stories of distinguished Wilmington College alums.
In commenting on June’s life, partner and Chief Wealth Planning Officer Todd Walter, CPA, CFP shared, “June was a bright light to all she encountered. She was such an impressive person, so sharp and so wise and she and Dave were a joy to work with. They had incredibly strong values. Family was their foundation, but the overflow of their love extended into generosity towards others. As their financial advisor for nearly ten years, I came to love both of them and will miss June so much. But we were so blessed to have her as a dear friend and client and her legacy will live on in her family and in the many organizations she and Dave supported so strongly. Our prayers go out to Beth, Jad, Joe, and Sammy as together we celebrate the good and long life of this remarkable woman.”
June and Dave’s lives are a poignant reminder that life is a gift to be lived and shared. As Dave once said, “this is not a dress rehearsal – LIVE!” May their example inspire all of us to live with purpose, passion, and joy and to make each day count!