Obituary

David Joseph Hark, a West Virginia photographer, businessman, teacher, internet consultant, husband and friend to many and resident of Shepherdstown, WV for more than 42 years passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the age of 79 following a long illness.

He was born September 21, 1943 in Charleston, WV and a was member of Beth Sholom Congregation, Fredrick, Maryland.

David was preceded in death by his father Israel L Hark, mother Tessie J Hark and nephew Allen Lee Hark. He is survived by his wife Katherine Moyers Hark, brother Ben (Jane) of Charleston, WV, niece Laura Hark Plumley of Shady Spring, WV and many in laws from Gilmer County WV.

After graduating from Charleston High School in 1961, he studied physics at Purdue University before transferring to WVU in 1962. He majored in chemistry & speech graduating Cum Laude in 1968. In 1969 he received a master’s degree in motion picture and speech from WVU. During his college years in Morgantown, WV, he worked at several radio stations there and in Durham, NC as a radio engineer, teacher and announcer.
He enlisted in the US Army in 1970 where he served as a photo officer at Fort Drum, NY training Army photographers and technicians. He was later transferred to Fort Monmouth, NJ in a similar capacity.

Later in 1970 after being transferred to South Korea, he became officer in charge of a large photographic facility of 60 men. He was responsible for still and motion picture support of Army activities.

After being discharged from the US Army in 1971, David teamed up with his longtime friend, Jim VanEvera as co-owner of the Photo Shop in downtown Martinsburg, WV. Among other duties, he designed and operated the stores photo lab.
In 1974 he left the photo business to begin what would become a seven year stint teaching photography at the James Rumsey Vocational Technical Center near Hedgesville, WV. He later took those same skills to Shepherd College, now University, where he served as an adjunct professor of photography for one year.. Along his journey, he met the love of his life, Katherine Moyers & they were married in 1982.

Later David teamed up again with Jim VanEvera to open a photo shop at the Longmeadow Mall Shopping Center in Hagerstown, MD. David set up and operated the one hour photo lab for approximately six years.

During this time, he became more absorbed in World Wide Web (WWW) and all the internet was offering. He consequently set up his own teaching and consulting business that continued through 2021 when he became too ill to continue.

As owner of Hark Internet Help, he travelled all over the country teaching computer skills to a wide range of government agencies such as the Supreme Court and Department of the Treasury.
He honed his “zoom” teaching skills over the years so that he could work from his home in Shepherdstown, WV some of the time, lessening the fatigue of travelling around the country or regularly commuting to Washington, DC well in to his 70s.
Memorial gifts may be made to anyone or organization in need, befitting David’s passion for “paying it forward“.

One final thing is the good times David had with his brother Benny for eight weeks in the summers of 1953 to 1957 at Camp Minnehaha, Minnehaha Springs, Pocahontas County WV.
A private graveside service with immediate family will occur 2 pm Sunday, April 27, 2023 at the B’nai Israel Cemetery within the Spring Hill Cemetery Charleston, WV. Rabbi Victor Urecki will be officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.