Seth Joel Harwood

Seth Joel Harwood (Shaltiel Yoel ben Moshe Yehudah) was born in Houston, Texas on September 27, 1933, to Maurice Jud Harwood and Helen Nora Fordensky (Ford). At the age of eight, his family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, where he grew up and maintained lasting friendships. Seth taught ballroom dance lessons in high school to earn money and many years later, he taught salsa classes at Chancellor’s. He was active in his high school and college fraternities, and he still had lunch with fraternity brothers until recently. While Seth attended the University of Houston School of Architecture, he met the love of his life, Thelma Kogut of Galveston, Texas. Seth and Thelma’s first date occurred at a UH dance, and they continued their love affair and dancing for 68 years, briefly living in Austin, Texas and settling in Houston. Seth worked as an architect for commercial architectural firms and engineering companies over the years, including 3M. When Seth retired from architecture he continued working as the owner and operator of Baby Proofers, Inc. Seth was active in his synagogue of more than 50 years, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, and even served as its Men’s Club President. He was proud that during his tenure he brought the first Israeli Arts Fair to Houston. Seth was always involved in charitable activities, in particular the Westbury Lion’s Club through which he raised thousands of dollars for the Lion’s Camps for kids with cancer and disabilities and contributions of eyewear for their vision project. Seth received recognition for his outstanding community service by Lion’s International and their highest honors, the Melvin Jones Fellowship and Jack Weich Awards. Seth and Thelma had many lifelong friends with whom they travelled with on cruises and other vacations and played poker/mahjong on a regular basis. The past few years were challenging for them as they moved from their home following Hurricane Harvey to reside at the Brookdale-Galleria, then University Place and finally The Medallion at Seven Acres. While at Brookdale-Galleria, Seth was extremely active in the programs there and performed in numerous plays and variety shows and taught art classes on wine bottle decorating, a hobby he undertook when he no longer had a yard to garden, or his table saw and numerous other tools to build things. Seth always had a smile on his face, a warm greeting, and a joke for all that he would meet, and all of those on whom he made a friendly impression will miss him. Seth was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Reuben & Estelle Kogut, and his grandson OBM, Matthew Amarant. He is survived by his beautiful and adoring wife, Thelma; his children Sherry Harwood, Annette & Kenny Rosen, and Cynthia Beck; his grandchildren Andrew & Michelle and Michael Rosen and Ian and Alana Beck, whom he loved very much and who will miss him and the wild stories of his younger years; and his sister, Jaclyn Harwood. A graveside service was held on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery on Post Oak with Rabbi Dovid Goldstein officiating. The family wants to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at The Medallion for the love and care they have shown to both Seth and Thelma during the brief time they have resided there. The family requests donations be made to Westbury Lions Club, JCC’s Meals on Wheels Program, The Medallion, Twist Out Cancer, or the charity of your choice.

Seth Joel Harwood

September 27, 1933 - October 28, 2022