Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on the Death of Harvey Zeigler
For Immediate Release: Wednesday 6 April
Montgomery County lost a legend, and I lost a friend, who was truly an inspiration to me and so many others. William Harvey Zeigler passed away Tuesday afternoon—just weeks after celebrating his 102nd birthday. Our sympathies and condolences are with Harvey’s family, friends and all those who he knew and were inspired by him over his long life.
At his core, Harvey was a humanitarian. Last year, I was so proud and honored to rename the County Executive’s Humanitarian Award after him and his sister, Inez Zeigler McAbee. Harvey was a World War II veteran, a mentor, a historian, and a good friend to everyone – including me.
During his lifelong pursuit for equality and justice, his accomplishments included striking down job discrimination and promoting the hiring of African Americans in Government agencies, like Montgomery County Public Schools, and in the Montgomery County Fire Department. Harvey was a Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame member, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award Recipient, African American Living Legend Award recipient, as well as a leader and member of the Montgomery County Branch of the NAACP.
William Harvey Zeigler’s life and legacy will never be forgotten. Every resident and every community in Montgomery County owes him their gratitude for his life’s work to make this a better, more equitable and more livable County for all.
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View the video from the 2021 Inez Zeigler McAbee and William Harvey Zeigler Humanitarian Award presentation here.
Release ID: 22-012