On September 20, 2025, we said goodbye to our founder, Allyn E. Harth, who passed away peacefully at the age of 95.
Allyn lived an extraordinary life defined by service, resilience, and vision. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he served during the Korean War and later as a Reserve Officer, earning his Warrant Officer’s bars in 1981. His discipline, integrity, and devotion to service shaped not only his military career but also the company he would later establish.
After being “forced to retire” at the age of 65 from a long career in the home building and remodeling field, Allyn did what few would dare—he founded a new business. In 1996, Harth Builders was born in the upstairs bedroom of his Spring House home. From those humble beginnings, Allyn, along with his son Greg, grew the company to a nationally recognized design-build firm with more than 80 employees and $30 million in annual revenue.
Over the years, Allyn and the team earned more than 150 design and service awards, including multiple Contractor of the Year (CotY) honors from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50 Award, and consistent recognition on platforms such as Houzz. His legacy of craftsmanship, integrity, and service excellence remains the cornerstone of Harth Builders today.
Allyn’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. He was a licensed engineer, a housing developer, an instructor of modular and panel building systems, and even a hypnotism practitioner and teacher. His career included everything from selling building systems to writing his 2023 memoir, Stories from the Hearth. He valued both innovation and practical skills, and he often shared his knowledge through teaching and mentorship.
Above all, Allyn was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He inspired those around him with his optimism, humility, and commitment to service excellence. His values continue to guide Harth Builders today.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Harth family. Allyn will be deeply missed, but his vision and legacy live on.
Read his obituary here.
Headshot photo credit: Betsy Barron