Dick Harris

Family was important to Dick Harris. He loved to be surrounded by his family, and spent his time being a devoted husband, father and grandfather to the people who brought his life extraordinary joy.

Dick was born in Ames, Iowa, and fittingly graduated from Iowa State University. After graduating college, Dick enlisted in the Army where he served his country proudly. When he returned back home, he found he was good at sales, and took a job with a Chicago printing business. He had a way with people and enjoyed giving his customers donut holes from a favorite bakery, Kirschbaums in Chicago.

Together Dick and his wife Nancy made a home in Chicago raising three children. They loved traveling and would spend many summers camping at Camp Highlands in Northern Wisconsin. In 2000 Dick and Nancy moved to the Holland area to be nearer their children and grandchildren.

Sadly, in 2003, Dick lost his wife and he himself started feeling the effects of a long battle with emphysema. He continued to spend as much time as he could with his family which now had grown to several grandchildren. Dick enjoyed making toys for his grandchildren and would let them “pound” to their hearts content in his basement workshop. He also enjoyed cooking and at times his kids would call him Emerald Jr.! He loved hosting dinners at his home and was great at entertaining.

Dick was a people person and spent many hours with friends at JP’s, HASP and ROMEO’s. He was a past board member of O.A.R. and enjoyed many volunteering roles at Evergreen Commons as well as being a guide on the Tulip Time Trolley during the festival.

Dick’s church family at Christ Memorial was also important to him and learned to lean on many of them though out his retirement years including his special companion, Janet Kramer.

On March 25, 2013 Dick lost his battle to emphysema at Rest Haven Care Center. The emptiness caused by his passing will be filled with the wonderful memories he created with those he loved.

He is survived by his children, Cathy and Mike Hamilton, Daniel and Jan Harris, Jeanne and Rick Page all of Holland, 9 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter, Don and Ann Harris of Plymouth, MN; Phil and Kathleen Harris of Ames, IA; sister in law, Dorothy and Bruce Johnson of Annapolis, MD, several nieces and nephews as well as companion Janet Kramer of Holland.

A memorial service will be held Thursday 1:00PM at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd. with Rev. Bill Boersma officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery.

Friends may call on the family Wednesday 5:00 to 8:00 at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes 188 West 32nd St.

Memorial gifts may be given in Dick’s memory to O.A.R.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous may have many troubles but the Lord delivers them from them all.” Psalm 34 vs18 and 19.