SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Each New Year’s Eve, we take a moment to remember those we lost. We talk about the Baby Boomers and current generations, but little time is spent acknowledging those who came before, like the Silent Generation born from 1928 to 1945. Around 50 million were born, making them one of the smallest groups in the last 100 years. 

These Americans lived during the Great Depression and World War II. Some may remember their mothers using ration books to buy sugar, clothing and gas. They are the final group on earth who experienced life before television. Normally one telephone was shared by everyone in the house. People communicated via local papers, radio, in-person gatherings and letter writing. 

When looking at the traits of the Silent Generation, also known as the Traditionalist Generation, we find they came from tough times but were resilient. They believed reforming "the system" was better than tearing it down. They began with little, worked hard and remained appreciative of their blessings. 

Sacramento citizen Barbara Harsch is one example. She wrote a family book called "My Lucky Life” filled with family stories and wisdom to pass down. Her life is reflected in decades of photos, from 1930s black-and-whites to sun-faded 1960s Polaroids to today's clear digital images. 

Her family, the Rohwers, lived in Sacramento from 1935, when she was born. She grew up in a prominent home at 3344 H St., across from McKinley Park's Rose Garden. 

Like many of her peers, Harsch learned the importance of service to others. Her parents devoted plenty of volunteer time to churches and those in need. Neighbors could find Barbara and her mother frequently pruning the rose garden and hosting gardening meetings at their house. Her mother also organized the East Sacramento Home Tours. Barbara's attorney father was heavily involved in the Sutter Club, which continues to cultivate community leaders and successful professionals today. 

In her book, Harsch shares how fortunate she was to have her parents. Their wisdom and support lifted her throughout her life. Her father recited a stanza from "If" by Rudyard Kipling: "Or walk with Kings, nor lose the common touch." This is a reminder to have high expectations for yourself while remaining a humble friend to everyone. 

Harsch (then Rohwer) married George Harsch in 1956 while completing her degree in foreign relations at UC Berkeley. George was in the Air Force. They spent some time in Dos Palos, California where Barbara taught high school English. Eventually George became General Manager at Sacramento’s Ricemill Products Company in West Sacramento. The outdoors and skiing were a passion, so they built a cabin in Truckee, allowing them to enjoy years of waterskiing and snow skiing with family and friends. 

After moving to Sacramento, Harsch volunteered with Loaves & Fishes and raised money for Sacramento Children's Home while raising their sons, Fritz and Hans. 

Fritz Harsch spoke about his mothers’ generous nature, "She had an affection for people that was always reflected back. She was the warm, calming presence in a room, ready to negotiate situations and get things done.” 

"She was a great negotiator. The kind of personality where you didn't feel challenged by her, but she brought out your best qualities." 

Harsch’s life had serious challenges too.  She contracted Guillain-Barre disease in 1982 and then legionnaires disease, which kept her in the hospital for almost two years at Mercy Hospital. Paralyzed and pronounced clinically dead more than once, she bounced back to the amazement of the hospital staff, with humor intact. 

In 1986, after a divorce, Harsch moved back to her parents’ home. She obtained her real estate license and became the President of the Sacramento Association of Realtors, collecting awards along the way. Later, the association established a scholarship in Harsch's name, further helping to lift others ready to serve their community.

As her parents slowed down, Harsch became their caretaker. After they passed, she decided to sell the house and move to a smaller home in the Greenhaven area in 2012. 

Although Harsch was very active, she mostly remained in the background. In her lifetime she performed many charitable acts only a few knew.  She wasn't political. Like most of the Silent Generation, a purposeful life, giving back and time with those she loved were her greatest rewards. Harsch passed away on Nov.14, 2024, at age 89.

Sacramento changed as Harsch’s generation aged. It got bigger and, to some, much more impersonal. Maybe a little more self-indulgent too. At the end of the last chapter of her book, there is a Peanuts cartoon where Linus sits next to Charlie Brown and says, "Worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening; it just stops you from enjoying the good." 

During the era of selfies, maybe the Silent Generation and Harsch’s life can remind us of the bigger picture in the New Year.