Harold Edouard Vieau

Seventy-year Pacific Palisades resident Harold “Hal” Edouard Vieau passed away on Aug. 10, 2017, at home with family at his side. Hal was 96 and a longtime spark plug to our community. He was born on Jan. 21, 1921, to Pauline and Arthur Vieau. He lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, along with his twin, Howard, and siblings, Thorle and Virginia.

Hal joined the Navy in 1942 as an aviation cadet. He spent a year in training to fly the SBD Dive Bomber and TBM Torpedo Bomber. He was assigned to the Navy Air Station at Coronado awaiting deployment to the Pacific when he met the love of his life, Beverly Brewster, at a USO dance in Santa Monica. Hal was smitten from the start and asked Beverly if she would marry him. She gave her consent but only if he would write her a letter every day while he was overseas.

He was deployed to the Pacific theater in Torpedo Bomber squadron VC-91 assigned to the escort carrier USS Kitkun Bay in 1943. When the ship was badly damaged in a Kamikaze attack in the Philippines, his squadron was redeployed to the USS Savo Island and eventually the USS Makin Island. Lieutenant Vieau received the Distinguished Flying Cross and three other medals for his role as a pilot in three Pacific campaigns.

Hal’s daily letter writing to Beverly paid off upon his return home as they married a year later. He continued his love for flying and the Navy by joining the Naval Air Reserves. He was commanding officer for several anti-submarine squadrons out of Naval Air Facilities in Los Alamitos and Point Mugu for some 25 years. He retired as a captain in 1976.

Hal attended Regis College in Colorado in 1946 and then settled in the Palisades with Beverly and their infant son, Jerry. Hal and Beverly would later add to their family with Jan and Joan.

Hal worked at General Telephone in Santa Monica as an engineer for 35 years. He jumped into community service by co-founding the first local Optimist Club in 1956. He served as president in 1961 and as treasurer for many years.

He was also an active member of Palisades American Legion Post 283. His passion was the Fourth of July and the American Legion parade. He built floats, marched in the parade and marshaled the 5- and 10-K runs. He was an early member of Corpus Christi Church and served as an usher for over 30 years.

His generosity, positive outlook on life and optimism made him beloved by his family and the community at large. He was always willing to help others by fixing a fence, repairing a leak or just enjoying a cocktail with friends.

Beverly and Hal are survived by their children: Jerry, Jan and Joan; 10 grandchildren: Ryan, Nathan, Jodi, Mandy, Deanna, Jeff, Lauren, Matt, Adam and Emily; and four great-grandchildren: Hayden, Henry, Delphine and Jackson.

Hal’s love for life has touched all of our lives and we are forever grateful.

A memorial mass with Navy honors and rifle salute was held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 19. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Optimist Youth Home and Family Services by calling 323-443-3023.