Harold H. Kodikian, 89, of Doylestown, PA, found peace on September 1, 2026. Hal’s life was characterized by good humor, hard work, service to his community, and loyalty to family, friends, employees and colleagues. His loving wife Doris was with him.

Born in Philadelphia, Hal was the son of Aram Kodikian and Clara Djivanian. He is preceded in death by Alice Asadorian, his older sister, and her husband Paul. Alice said she prayed for a brother and when Hal was born, “Mom and Dad held him up to the window of the hospital; it was like he was my baby and God answered my prayers.” Hal’s lineage is from Tokat and Istanbul, Turkey, where his parents were orphaned and survived the Armenian Genocide. They emigrated to this country with the hope of achieving a better life. With little in their pockets, they showed grace and dignity through the Great Depression, demonstrating how we should help each other as one. Hal often said his Dad taught him to squeeze a nickel out of a penny.

Hal attended J.W.Catherine and Drexel Hill Elementary schools and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1955. He later studied mechanical engineering at Drexel University, graduating class of 1961.

In 1964, Hal met Doris Chrekjian on the beach at Asbury Park. After saying no to three requests for a date, Doris relented. A few months later, Hal proposed, and they married on November 16, 1968, at St. Thomas Armenian Apostolic Church in Tenafly, NJ. Over 57 years, Hal and Doris shared a life together in Doylestown, PA. They raised their family, built their business together, left their mark on the local community and supported each other’s endeavors.

Hal served his country in the Army from 1961 through 1967. During those years he was a Test Engineer and Project Engineer, focusing on the design and development of projectile and warhead explosive devices, artillery ammunition and combustion engines. After his tour of duty, he continued working as an engineer and then switched gears to manufacturing jewelry with his cousin while living in RI. Hal soon learned that his favorite boss was himself, so he and Doris moved to Lansdale, PA where he opened his first rental company in 1972, later known as Rental World. He began a hugely successful career in the equipment and party rental industry, where he had a local and national impact. “Once you’ve got the sale,” he often advised, “stop trying to convince them.” He convinced enough people that he eventually added two additional rental locations, in Limerick and Spring House, PA.

Hal’s dedication to the rental industry was extensive. In the 1970s and 80s he co-founded the Pennsylvania Equipment Rental Association, Delaware Valley Rental Association, and MATRA – Manufacturers and Tent Renters Association. In 2007 MATRA honored his commitment to improving the tent industry with their Hall of Honors award. In the 1980s, recognizing the need for insurance carriers who understood their industry and its risks, Hal joined with other owners to form a specialized insurance program tailored strictly for the rental industry. Their collaborative work laid the groundwork for modern, rental-specific commercial liability insurance and risk management groups, still utilized by rental stores today. Hal continued advocating for rental companies while serving on the Board of Directors of ARA Insurance Ltd. He was instrumental in the State of Pennsylvania’s development of reasonable regulations for the engineering, manufacturing and operations of inflatable bounce houses, improving the safety of children across the country. This transformed what had once been an uninsurable product into an everyday, insurable piece of rental inventory. Hal was also an active member of the American Rental Association (ARA) for 44 years. There he held the positions of Region 2 Director, DVRA Director, President and Vice President, and ARA of PA Director, Treasurer, and President. He was honored twice as Region 2 Person of the Year.

Although he was proud of his achievements, he never desired accolades. Rather, he referred to himself as G.O.M, (Grumpy Old Man). Yet, what those who knew him remember are his loyalty, protectiveness and quiet concern for their well-being. Without fanfare, Hal would help his friends, family and employees through tough times with a simple, “Here, take this. Pay me back when you can.”

Outside of work, Hal was an active member and Past President of the Lansdale Club of Kiwanis. He was known as a service-oriented man who “maintains a low profile while being extremely supportive of every club activity,” especially those providing support to children. Kiwanis honored his work with their greatest accolade, the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award. The Kiwanis club held a very deep and meaningful spot in his heart. No one ever had to ask Hal what he was doing on a Thursday night, ever.

Somehow Hal still found the time to join the Board of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County, providing them support to assist local businesses over many years of membership. He also spent decades assisting the Bucks County Historical Society with major fundraising and community events like Folk Fest, Mercer Legacy, Savory Sampler and any other event for which there was a need. He shared his expertise as a BCHS Trustee and served on the Investment Committee.

His friends were well aware that he had a habit of showing up when he was most needed. One remembers when buying his first home, Hal came by and said, “That backyard needs a deck.” Talk turned to action when he arrived next day with tools and muscle and proceeded to build that deck. Hal never explained why he did this for his friend. He didn’t think an explanation was necessary. When he and Doris learned of an Armenian family emigrating from Baku, Azerbaijan, they didn’t hesitate to open their home to provide them shelter, guidance, and friendship. Once again, lending help to others, as his parents showed him as a child.

Hal’s generosity was like that. He didn’t just sympathize; he acted. When he saw someone in need, he responded. Being a neighbor meant helping his neighbor. He never sought recognition or reciprocation because this, he felt, was everyone’s responsibility. The most common description of Hal’s willingness was, “he always went out of his way.” For Hal, though, going out of his way was the way everyone should be.

Hal is survived by his wife, Doris, son Raffi, daughter Melani, her husband Kyle Burrows, and grandchildren Sarkis, Ani, and Taline Burrows; brother-in-law Robert Cooper, his nephews, niece, great-nephews, great-niece, and multiple generations of cousins. Family was a great source of pride and happiness for Hal. His Armenian heritage was a vital part of his identity; his pride extended to his children and grandchildren, who uphold Armenian traditions and regularly serve up delicious old country cuisine, most recently to celebrate Hal’s 89th birthday under a bright summer sun.
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Those who knew Hal knew that his years among us took him well beyond his industry and his associations. His fierce spirit lives on in the people whose lives he enriched, in his legacy of work and service, and in the family who will carry that spirit into the future.

A service will take place on September 24th at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 101 Ashmead Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012. Kef time will follow at Santerian Hall, located at the church.
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Funeral

Holy Trinity Armenian Church
101 Ashmead Road
Cheltenham, PA 19012

Thursday, September 24, 2026 @ 11:00am

In Lieu of Flowers
Memorial contributions may be made to:

North Penn Boys & Girls Club
P.O. Box 103
Lansdale, PA 19446
https://www.npvclub.org/donate/

Lansdale Club of Kiwanis
c/o Lee Strohecher
12 Brookside Road
Collegeville, PA 19426

Holy Trinity Armenian Church
101 Ashmead Road
Cheltenham, PA 19012
https://holytrinity-pa.org/donation