BIRTCHER, Harold M.

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Harold M. Birtcher, age 83, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away in his apartment at Freedom Inn on March 13, 2012 with family and friends at his bedside. Harold was born in Globe, Ariz. were he met his bride-to-be, Melba J. Thompson. They relocated to Phoenix in the 1950s where Harold began his accounting career in earnest. After a period of time as a partner of a firm, Harold launched his independent business where he worked until he suffered a stroke at the age of 82. Harold is survived by a daughter, Kristi Bushnell (Bob), and a son, Craig, whom the couple adopted at their births. He is also survived by three grandchildren, to whom he was devoted, Quinnlyn, Brett, and Collin; as well as two sisters, Virginia Wade and Marvel Schartzer. Harold enjoyed music, and he held a life-long passion for the art of photography which he pursued as a hobby and combined with travel later in life. A service will be held at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd., in Scottsdale beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012.