Harry Svec was born on December 26th, 1916, to his parents John and Rosa Svec. He moved from Nebraska to Beadle County in 1935. Harry graduated from the School of Agriculture in 1936. Harry’s career revolved around welding where he both worked and taught. Harry took classes in Minneapolis to perfect the trade on both electric and oxyacetylene welding. He began teaching welding at SDSU in fall 1940. At the beginning he taught welding for the National Defense Training Program, but this stopped in 1944. He taught many courses on welding and forging until his retirement in 1982. He was named professor Emeritus of Engineering Shops in 1982. During the summers Harry worked for many different projects from steam pipe welding to taking additional courses in Troy, OH at the Hobart Technical Institute. After he retired, he continued to work in his workshop by producing rubber parts for different equipment.

Harry married his wife Lillian Liemohn of Deuel County in 1941. They had two sons; Roger and Harvey and one daughter; Marilyn.

Harry passed away on May 17th, 1999.