Austin, Texas - AUSTIN - Harold Eisman died Sept. 13 in Austin, Texas, at age 79. The Terre Haute native and longtime resident graduated from Gerstmeyer High in 1964. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Indiana State, he moved with his family to West Virginia, where he taught economics at Concord University while pursuing a doctorate from Virginia Tech.

After leaving academia, Harold started a career in restaurant management. He opened and managed corporate restaurants throughout the Mid-Atlantic region before returning to Terre Haute and launching and operating Damon's and Chi-Chi's there.

Harold loved auto racing, politics, current affairs, finance and, most of all, spending time with loved ones. In his younger days, he excelled at playing the clarinet and commuted to work on motorcycles. Harold had a sharp wit and an infectious laugh, with stories and advice always at the ready.

Eisman is preceded in death by his mother, Betty Cox, and father, Harold. Survivors include son Jim Eisman and his wife, Denise Zepeda, of Austin; daughter Ann Smith and husband Bill of Asheville, North Carolina; and sister Candace McDonnall and husband John of Terre Haute. His grandchildren are James Alan, Tom and Alexandria Eisman; Darden, Ann Caton and Elizabeth Smith; Frank Huerta; and Elayne Obregon.

Arrangements are being made in Austin.