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IN MEMORY

Harold Bastrup - Class Of 1943

Harold A. Bastrup, age 89, former Anaheim Police Chief, passed away on April 21, 2013 in Anaheim. He is survived by his Loving wife, Elsie; 3 sons, Richard (Lilia), Ronald (Lauren) and Lance (Cathy) , daughter, Barbara (Richard) Bastrup; 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Born in Wisconsin on July 20, 1923 to Lauritz and Sophia Bastrup, he is proceeded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister. He married Elsie Mittman on Oct. 18, 1947 and at the time of his death they had been married for 65 years.

Chief Bastrup has a lifetime history of public service, serving in the Coast Guard Reserve, as a volunteer fireman and as a Deputy Sheriff in Wisconsin before moving with his family to Anaheim in 1955.  It was at this time that he was hired as an Anaheim Police Officer as the city prepared for the opening of Disneyland.  He worked the opening of the park soon becoming the Disneyland Liaison Officer and got to know Walt Disney on a personal level as they sometimes walked the park together in the early morning before opening.

Chief Bastrup was one of the first detectives in Anaheim and founded the first Police Explorer Post in the Nation which is still going strong today.  He was appointed Chief of Police in 1974 and established many community programs and department innovations including the first Anaheim SWAT teams, expansion of the training bureau and creation of the APD Awards Programs.  He retired in 1978 and traveled the world extensively with his wife Elsie.  He authored two books "One Police Officer's Experiences" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Police Department."  The Chief was involved with many charity and community organizations throughout the years including the Mother Colony House, Soar, Scoutmaster of Troop 74 for 11 years and the Kiwanis Club member for over 50 years.

Chief Bastrup will be highly missed by all those who knew him.

Funeral Services were held on April 30, 2013 at Anaheim United Methodist Church, followed by interment in Anaheim Cemetery.

Published in Orange County Register on April 28, 2013