Harvey M. Palash passed away on March 4, 2023. Harvey is survived by his wife, Penny and his daughter Andrea Leigh Palash. He was born in Toledo, Ohio on April 19, 1933, and moved to Southern California in 1936. Harvey attended Fairfax High, Los Angeles City College and graduated from USC in 1955. He was a founder of Delta Phi Delta fraternity at City College and president of Tau Kappa Epsilon at USC. After graduating from USC, with a degree in political science Harvey was employed by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and became Assistant Executive Secretary of the Hollywood Local. In 1960 he moved to the American Broadcasting Company, responsible for labor relations and business affairs for ABC, on the West Coast. Harvey left ABC in 1966 to form The Palash Agency, representing production companies, directors and sport personalities. During this period, he attended Loyola Law School and became a member of the California Bar in 1967.
In 1968, Harvey formed Diamond P Enterprises. It became the Country’s largest producer of syndicated radio programs. In 1980 he founded Diamond P Sports and sold this sports television production company in 1990, to Hubbard Broadcasting Company of Minnesota. In 1967 Harvey became involved with the National Hot Rod Association as its media agency. Their relationship expanded and Harvey went on NHRA’s board of directors in 1979 and became vice chairman in 1983, a position he held until his retirement in June 2000. He maintained his title of Vice Chairman, Emeritus.
It was during his tenure at NHRA that he met Penny, and they were married August 1998. Their life took them to Coronado where they enjoyed their trawler Marandi 3 and sailboat Whisper, golfing and living on the water. In 2005 they moved to Indian Wells and joined Desert Horizons Country Club. In 2014 they moved to Desert Island and became members of Desert Island Country Club. Harvey and Penny were active in tennis and golf and enjoyed spending times with old entertainment industry friends. Harvey was an exceptional man and will always be remembered for his quiet strength, his gentle and loving soul and always a consummate gentleman. Harvey will be cremated and at his request no services will be held.
AND ANOTHER BIO
We lost a beloved frater, Harvey Palash, on March 4, 2023. He was a few weeks short of age 90 and suffered several years from bone marrow cancer.
Harvey transferred as a junior from Los Angeles City College to SC in fall 1953. His leadership and charisma allowed him immediately to be elected Pledge Class President. Later he served as Prytanis his entire senior year, graduating in June 1955 with a degree in political science.
When he succeeded astronaut Jerry Carr as Prytanis, Jerry showed him a closet full of Memorabilia he had quietly pilfered from rival fraternities. He made Harvey promise to not reveal the secret. Unknown to all including the rivals, Harvey secretly returned the entire stash. It wasn’t until Jerry’s death several years ago that we learned of the skullduggery.
Harvey was always heavily involved in the entertainment industry. He had early employment in labor relations with the American Television and Radio Actors (AFTRA) and the American Broadcasting Company, while attending law school at Loyola College and passing the bar. As a successful entrepreneur he formed three companies: The Palash Agency, Diamond P Enterprises and Diamond P Sports. The latter was sold in 1990 to setup his retirement. His activities involved tennis, golf and reminiscing with old entertainment friend.
In 1967 Harvey was connected with The National Hot Rod Association, later being elected to its Board of Directors. It was at NHRA that he met his beloved wife of 25 years, Penny. They lived in Coronado, Indian Wells and most recently Rancho Mirage, California.
Harvey was an exceptional man and will be remembered always for his quiet strength, his gentle and loving soul, and as a consummate gentleman.
