Memories of Harvey Martin Diamond

In memory of

Harvey Martin Diamond

Redondo Beach, CA, USA

June 17, 1936 - July 30, 2020

Jun 17, 1936 - Jul 30, 2020

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Robin & Michael Merlo & Lescander

Harvey was curious & smart and caring and always fun! I miss him, and cherish my friendship with Avra, who brought us together.

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Robin & Michael Merlo & Lescander

Harvey was curious & smart and caring and always fun! I miss him, and cherish my friendship with Avra, who brought us together.

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Robin & Michael Merlo & Lescander

I remember many fun get-togethers with Avra, Harvey and my husband, Michael in Los Angeles. We so loved their special visit to Santa Fe when we moved here. Harvey's kindness and smart mind remain in my heart.

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Comments:

Luciana Chapman

This reminder brought back so many memories of the best boss I ever had. You will always be in my heart dearest... Read more This reminder brought back so many memories of the best boss I ever had. You will always be in my heart dearest Harvey This reminder brought back so many memories of the ... Read more

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Marlene Tobin

I miss you...

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Sema Basol

Harvey was my boss at Mattel for many years. I also consider him to be my mentor as Mattel was my first job here in the US and I had a lot to learn about the corporate world. And for that I have always been very grateful. I will always remember Harvey as a kind gentleman, a great human being.

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Comments:

Avra Diamond

Thank you, Sema for your lovely sentiments. Harvey always thought very highly of you and knew you would be... Read more Thank you, Sema for your lovely sentiments. Harvey always thought very highly of you and knew you would be successful after leaving... Read more Thank you, Sema for your lovely sentiments. Harvey ... Read more

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Joe Gennaro

Nancy and I recently began (again) playing a game that Harvey always beat us at: Rummikub. As we re-learned the game, we recalled the happy times we had spent at his and Avra's house learning the game, which Harvey largely taught us. He was a champ, and I can't remember ever beating him at this strategic game. Avra and Harvey brought the game to our attention about 3 - 4 years ago, and Nancy and I now plan on playing it on a regular basis. As we play, we'll certainly remember the good times brought to us courtesy of our friends, Harvey and Avra. Thanks so much for all of those memorable, happy hours!

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Comments:

Avra Diamond

Thanks, Joe for posting this. I'm so glad you remember those evenings of Rummikub games so fondly. It's a... Read more Thanks, Joe for posting this. I'm so glad you remember those evenings of Rummikub games so fondly. It's a melancholy day today... Read more Thanks, Joe for posting this. I'm so glad you remember... Read more

Avra Diamond

That last photo was from 2 years ago, celebrating Harvey's 84th. Today I received several birthday wishes on Harvey's behalf. Last year several of Harvey's friends posted birthday wishes on FaceBook. Thank you all for your loving sentiments. I'm sure our beloved Harvey is smiling down on all of us today. Harvey loved celebrations, his and all of ours. Much love to all of you who continue to talk about Harvey, keeping him alive in your hearts and memories...

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Nico Morrison

Comments:

Steve Katz

Being remembered by so many only proves how much Harvey was loved and will be missed (and righteously so)... Read more Being remembered by so many only proves how much Harvey was loved and will be missed (and righteously so) but not forgotten. Harvey... Read more Being remembered by so many only proves how much Harvey... Read more

Lindy Murrell

This photo of Harvey is one of my favorite! This photo of Harvey is one of my favorite! This photo of Harvey is one of my favorite!

Luciana Chapman

Harvey will always be in my heart and memory as one of the most exceptional, kindest and with the keenest... Read more Harvey will always be in my heart and memory as one of the most exceptional, kindest and with the keenest sense of humor person... Read more Harvey will always be in my heart and memory as one... Read more

Robin Doroshow

I was thinking that it was around Harvey's bday just yesterday when some of our cousins were together. Sending love.

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Amy Lamborn

Harvey originally hired me at Mattel, where I worked for him directly in the International Department as a translator. He was a fun boss, in an atmosphere where there was never a dull moment. Mattel got pretty crazy sometimes. I remember him saying one day, "I feel like I'm running a race!" But there was a feeling of family feeling in our department, and I have fond memories of our little group going out for lunch together in Manhattan Beach. It was really great to reconnect with Harvey again on Facebook, and to keep up with each other. I was not aware he was ill, and always thought I would get out to L.A. and see him one more time. I send my deepest condolences to all his family. I will miss him.

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Barbara Bennetts

1979, Los Angeles, CA, USA

For two years Harvey drove himself and car-less me to UCLA to obtain our Certificate of International Business. He did it to see if he wanted to commit to a Masters Program. I wanted a promotion and needed to show I was a serious employee. We would leave work and he would fight the traffic to get to class by 6:00pm to sit for three hour lectures on shipping, ordering, marketing in the international arena. We were often driven to giggles by the boredom or our hungry complaining noisy stomachs. After class Harvey would drop me at Chevy’s in Manhatten Beach to get a ride home with my driving husband and have dinner snacks. Our lives seemed simple and carefree in those late 70’s. All of us succeeded in meeting our goals, even with the ridiculous schedules we kept.

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Comments:

Avra Diamond

Love your story, Barb. I ran across that certificate last week. I knew he got his Masters because we were... Read more Love your story, Barb. I ran across that certificate last week. I knew he got his Masters because we were together by then but... Read more Love your story, Barb. I ran across that certificate... Read more

Barbara Bennetts

Avra, My best wishes to you as you live a life without your special guy. I am glad he was my friend. I am... Read more Avra, My best wishes to you as you live a life without your special guy. I am glad he was my friend. I am happy that both of you... Read more Avra, My best wishes to you as you live a life without... Read more

Steve Katz

Harvey was a very dear man. All of my memories of Harvey were good ones. I will always admire his peaceful... Read more Harvey was a very dear man. All of my memories of Harvey were good ones. I will always admire his peaceful and calm nature, and... Read more Harvey was a very dear man. All of my memories of Harvey... Read more

Jeremy Sidell

STACY R Young

Jeremy Sidell

STACY R Young

Avra Diamond

2010, Santa Fe, NM, USA

Trip to Santa Fe to visit good friends Robin Merlo and Michael Lescander about

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Avra Diamond

This weeks's question asks about how Harvey and I met, my first impressions and whether they changed over the years. So, here goes.
We met at a dance in West L.A. for Jewish singles. I stood next to Harvey for quite a while, waiting for and hoping he'd ask me to dance. I loved his look. He was wearing faded jeans, jean shirt and jean vest. He had a beard but I could tell he was adorable. After a while, I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to dance. We danced and talked, and I immediately got the impression that he was a really nice guy. Never thought I'd hear from him though as I was what was considered "geographically undesirable" and had two small kids. He did call; we did date, and of course we married and had 37 wonderful years together. My impression that he was a really nice guy only grew over the years. That really nice guy became a wonderful person, and I'm so happy to have spent all those years with him. What a lucky lady I am! And how fortunate all of us are to have had him in our lives. Harvey will live on in our hearts and memories forever.

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Robin Doroshow

Judith Bock

Lindy Murrell

Luciana Chapman

STACY R Young

Comments:

Judith Bock

Love this 💜 Love this 💜 Love this 💜

Luciana Chapman

What a beautiful story! You are right Avra Harvey will be unforgettable for all of us. What a beautiful story! You are right Avra Harvey will be unforgettable for all of us. What a beautiful story! You are right Avra Harvey will... Read more

Cathy Lewis

Absolutely beautiful ..... Absolutely beautiful ..... Absolutely beautiful .....

Debra Kuperberg

I didn't know that's how you me--cute meet! <3 I didn't know that's how you me--cute meet! <3 I didn't know that's how you me--cute meet! <3

Luciana Chapman

1985, Mattel, Hawthorne, Ca

Harvey interviewed me for a new position created in his international marketing department. I found him very communicative, interested and kind.
I was elated when the position was offered to me. I really enjoyed working with Harvey for over 8 years. We always remained in touch and I consider him the best boss I ever had.

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Neil Davidson

2008, Sierra Club trip to Costa Rica

In 2008 we went with the Sierra Club to Costa Rica. Harvey and Avra were on the trip and as there were about 20 people in total, everyone eventually became acquainted. We were surprised to learn that we both lived on Speyer Lane in Redondo Beach, although many blocks apart. They were such a wonderful and vibrant couple and I was sure that they were the youngest members of the trip, which was made up of baby boomers. Neil started volunteering at the Beach Cities Health Center gym where Harvey also volunteered. We got together over the years . Another coincidence was that we both owned a particular model of car - 2001 MBZ C320 coupe, which was pretty obscure. Theirs gave out sometime before Neil rear ended someone of the freeway and ended our run. We loved hearing about their trips overseas and we also love to travel. Turns out the Harvey was several years older that both Neil and myself. Ha!

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Lynn Schenker

Shared a heart

Avra Diamond

The question for this week is "what did I learn from Harvey?"
Among many things, I learned to love with your whole heart, to not hold back with those you cherish, to be patient and optimistic with those you cannot control or change, and to be the very best person you can be no matter what else is going on around you. I also learned never to give up from the smallest things like looking for a particular size in a stack of sweaters at a store to the ongoing experimenting with things that might work to fight his cancer in addition to the traditional treatment. I think Harvey mostly taught all of us around him by doing and setting the example rather than giving us verbal instructions. I wish more people could lead and teach in the same way.

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Elie Aoun

Luciana Chapman

Lindy Murrell

Ron May

Robin Doroshow

Julie Weber

Jill Gamboa

Judy Kuperberg Bock

Allen Ravine

Celeste Robins

Lynn Schenker

Amy Stephan

Skip Schenker

Comments:

Marcia Gelfand

Avra, what wonderful lessons you learned from your beloved Harvvey! Avra, what wonderful lessons you learned from your beloved Harvvey! Avra, what wonderful lessons you learned from your ... Read more

Jeremy Sidell

2019, Redondo Beach, CA, USA

Family Reunion with Linda & Fred

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Luciana Chapman

Jeremy Sidell

Avra Diamond

STACY R Young

Barbara Bennetts

1978, Mattel Toys International, Hawthorne, California

Harvey was into details being accurate, always. He wanted to know exactly
what was happening, not what we thought would happen or what we were told to do in the Marketing Services area. How many samples did we send and what were they, who got catalogs and how many were in the package, who was the person who was asking? I learned to think carefully about what I was doing, going to do, or had done that day in case Harvey questioned me as Manager of Marketing Services. I learned not to pretend, fudge, or guess numbers, toys, or people facts .
Harvey kept the department records in his storage stash and could find old facts faster than bosses could ask the questions.

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Julie Weber

Jeremy Sidell

Comments:

Luciana Chapman

I too learned a lot of useful and positive work ethics from Harvey at Mattel many years ago, he will always... Read more I too learned a lot of useful and positive work ethics from Harvey at Mattel many years ago, he will always hold the best boss... Read more I too learned a lot of useful and positive work ethics... Read more

Michele Diamond

Although I did not grow up knowing Harvey, because of our age difference, I loved his family very much. As an adult, Harvey and Avra helped me immensely, when I needed them, and I'll never forget what they did for me, with so much love.

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Lynn Schenker

Jeremy Sidell

Cathy Lewis

Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

Walking group friends for over 20 years

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Lynn Schenker

Nicole Bernath Rustad

Jeremy Sidell

Luciana Chapman

Comments:

Cathy Lewis

It was early 2019 and most of us were able to be together on a beautiful morning .... Avra probably met us... Read more It was early 2019 and most of us were able to be together on a beautiful morning .... Avra probably met us for coffee later ...... Read more It was early 2019 and most of us were able to be together... Read more

Jeremy Sidell

Looks cold, but beautiful! Thanks for sharing Looks cold, but beautiful! Thanks for sharing Looks cold, but beautiful! Thanks for sharing

Julie Weber

2018, Bloomington, IN, USA

Rachel's graduation

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Luciana Chapman

Marla Malkin

Amy Stephan

Jeremy Sidell

Nicole Bernath Rustad

Comments:

Avra Diamond

That was one one of the best weekends ever. So proud of Rachel. And then we took one of our amazing "road... Read more That was one one of the best weekends ever. So proud of Rachel. And then we took one of our amazing "road trips" to see Jeremy... Read more That was one one of the best weekends ever. So proud... Read more

Jeremy Sidell

No caption required...

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Luciana Chapman

Amy Stephan

Jeremy Sidell

Nicole Bernath Rustad

Jill Gamboa

Comments:

Avra Diamond

where'd you find this? where'd you find this? where'd you find this?

Jeremy Sidell

One of Julie's books. One of Julie's books. One of Julie's books.

Avra Diamond

Poor guy looks like he's experiencing motion sickness. Must have been on a train somewhere in Europe. Poor guy looks like he's experiencing motion sickness. Must have been on a train somewhere in Europe. Poor guy looks like he's experiencing motion sickness.... Read more

Julie Weber

On a train in Germany or Austria in 1986 when Dad met me in Munich and we made our way to Salzberg, Austria... Read more On a train in Germany or Austria in 1986 when Dad met me in Munich and we made our way to Salzberg, Austria were I took a 3 week... Read more On a train in Germany or Austria in 1986 when Dad met... Read more

Jeremy Sidell

If he were a hit recording artist, this would be his album cover. If he were a hit recording artist, this would be his album cover. If he were a hit recording artist, this would be his... Read more