Harold Edwin Madden, a forceful voice for the mentally ill and for the poor and disadvantaged in Michigan passed away July 1, 2012 at the age of 91 in Grand Rapids, Michigan after a brief illness. Horrified by what he saw in mental health facilities, Hal began a life-long quest to improve the lives of the mentally ill. He was a driving force behind an effort to end warehousing of the mentally ill and to provide community-based programs. He served for 55 years on the Western Michigan Community Mental Health Board, 20 as its treasurer and was named chairperson in 1999. He was a charter member of the Michigan Association of Community Health Boards in 1964 and served as its president five times. The association created The Hal Madden Outstanding Services Award to honor individuals from within the public mental health systems who have made an outstanding contribution to the public mental health system. This award is presented each year at the association’s fall conference. Hal was the first winner of the award. The building for Western Michigan Community Mental Health Board in Ludington, Mich, is named the Harold E. Madden Center. and Hal’s portrait hangs in the building’s lobby. He also served for 30 years on the FiveCap Community Services Board of Directors to improve the lives low-income people. Harold worked as a coach, teacher and administrator for over 33 years for Ludington Public Schools, and was honored many times for his public service to the City of Ludington. Harold is survived by two brothers, James and wife Jeanette of Orlando, Fla, and Jesse and wife Virginia Madden of Port Huron; sons, Kurt and wife Janet of Marshall, Mich, and Kyle and wife Mimi of Kentwood, Mich; six grandchildren Erin, Katie, Connor, Brady, Casey and Colin and two great grandchildren, Jackson and Nola. Preceding Hal in death were his wife Virginia, son, Timothy, grandson Ryan and two sisters. Memorial services will take place 1 p.m., Monday, July 9 at Peterson Auditorium, 508 Washington Ave. next to Ludington High School, with the Rev. Wayne Buskirk, officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m.
