Hal Boren, Jr., 85; Worked at Rand and Northrup

Harold Eugene Boren, Jr., a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, died peacefully on June 28 at Saint John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. Hal, as he was affectionately known, was 85.’   Born in Springfield, Missouri, on January 26, 1925, Hal was the only child born to Harold and Gladys (Hickman) Boren. He enjoyed math and science as a young boy, and frequently challenged the neighborhood firemen to board games such as chess and checkers. When he was a senior in high school, Pearl Harbor was bombed, leading to his decision to sign up for the Navy V-12 training program.’He enrolled at Purdue University, where he studied electrical engineering and obtained his master’s degree in physics.’ ‘   When the war ended, Hal was assigned to the Office of Naval Research in Washington, D.C.’ Here he met his future bride, Anne Herkalo, a secretary from Freeland, Pennsylvania. After a short courtship, they were married on February 27, 1954.’They made their home in Silver Spring, Maryland, and had three children, Patricia, Pam and Dave.’After leaving the Navy, Hal worked at Applied Physics Laboratory.’ Seeking milder winters and year-round sunshine, Hal recalled a visit to Long Beach during his Navy days and how nice California was.’The family ventured west on a cross-country road trip to California in 1961 and found paradise in Pacific Palisades.’Hal worked a few years at Operations Research Institute as a technical editor before being hired by The Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, where he was employed for 15 years.’Hal’s strong mathematical abilities and interests were well-suited for this job.’He worked on cost analysis and long-range planning, utilizing learning curve applications. ‘   Rand’s close proximity to his home allowed Hal to be an involved father and a baseball coach for his son at the Recreation Center in the 1960s. Hal was a baseball enthusiast throughout his life, and loved taking his family to the California Angels games in Anaheim and watching pitcher Nolan Ryan on the mound. In addition, Hal was a staunch UCLA Bruins fan, and especially admired and supported John Wooden and his basketball teams and program. A highlight of Hal’s life was having John Wooden accept his invitation to join his family for lunch.’   In 1976, Hal was offered a job at Northrop Corporation in Hawthorne, where he worked until his retirement in 1990.’During this time, he wrote a technical book entitled ‘Mathematical Principles of the Integral Learning Curve’ to help with manufacturing cost analysis.’ ‘   Upon his retirement, Hal and Anne bought a vacation condo in Lake Tahoe, where they enjoyed frequent visits from their children and grandchildren.’   Throughout his life, Hal enjoyed learning interesting science facts and figures.’He amazed his family and friends with his ability to remember these facts relating to astronomy, geography and other areas of science.’He could tell you the depth of Lake Tahoe or the circumference of the earth without missing a beat. He also enjoyed researching and collecting turn-of-the-century American pendulum clocks.’ ‘   Hal will be remembered for his gentle, kind, easygoing personality.’He loved talking to people, and enjoyed his daily Starbucks coffee visits, making new friends, and sharing his wealth of knowledge with others.’He was a sweet, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all.’ Predeceased by his wife in 2008, Hal is survived by his aunt, Nora (Hickman) Caplan of Maryland; his three children, Patricia of Pacific Palisades, Pam (husband Rob Sharman) of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Dave (wife Lianne Richelieu) of Redding; and five grandchildren, Paul, Lizzy and Sarah Sharman and Sean and Kaiya Boren.’   A memorial service and celebration of Hal’s life will be held at Our Lady of Malibu on Saturday, August 21 at 11 a.m. He will be interred next to his wife at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.’   The family appreciates the kindness shown to him by the nurses and staff at Saint John’s Hospital and Berkeley East Convalescent Center.