Harold was born on September 22, 1938, in Ulen, Minnesota to Harold O. and Helen C. Rost in his grandparents' home.

He moved from Ulen to Moorehead, Minnesota at the age of three and in 1947 the family moved to Portland, Oregon after visiting relatives.  For a time, Harold remained with his grandparents and in 1952 Harold joined his family in Portland and attended Roosevelt High School.  After graduating he worked at various factories for employment and in 1961 Harold was drafted into the army.  He went through basic training at Fort Ord, California.  Later he was stationed at Fort Irwin, California and in 1962 in Ascom Korea until his discharge in 1963.

Harold then returned and worked at Del Monte Meat until 1966 he was hired by the City of Salem Police Department.  In 1969, hew was hired by the Port of Portland Airport Police Department where he was employed for r23 years as a Patrolman, Detective and Seargeant until his retirement in 1992.

Later he was employed as a security officer at the Multnomah Greyhound Park, then from 1997 to 2001 he was employed by the US Marshall Service until his retirement.

In 1996 Harold met the love of his life Mary Ellen Mickelson in Lincoln City, Oregon and they were later married in April 2000, and they resided in Portland.  They also had a home in Lincoln City since 1998.

Harold had two children: Denise Rost and Kimberly Rost.

He is survived by his wife, Mary and his two daughters: Denise Rost and Kimberly Rost.