Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Dennis Roy (Denny) Harris died Friday, June 8, after a long struggle with dementia. Denny was born in Eugene, Ore., on March 11, 1937, but grew up in Riverside County, Calif. In 1960, he earned a bachelors of science degree in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and later a master’s in sanitary and water-supply engineering from Oregon State University in Corvallis. He spent the majority of his career working on water-supply projects around the world, and with his wife, Jo Ann, lived and worked in West Africa, Central and South America, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Russia. In 1989, Denny and Jo Ann relocated from Reading, Pa., to Hood River, Ore.
A quiet man with a gentle spirit, Denny enjoyed travel, hiking, camping and above all, especially in his later years, photography. One of his greatest pleasures was hiking the trails of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, camera in hand, his faithful dog (and frequently his wife) at his side. Denny also loved music — especially classical and Spanish guitar, and for a brief time (1967, Ibadan, Nigeria), he played bass guitar with a small group of ex-patriot musicians who called themselves “D.R. Harris and the Wild Bunch!”
Denny is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jo Ann; his mother, Evelyn, of Riverside, Calif.; his sister Joanne Harris Eggink, of Salem, Ore.; three nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl, and his brother, Dave. There will not be a religious service, but a gathering of friends and family will be held at the couple’s home at a later date.
His family would like to thank Hospice of the Gorge, the staff at Brookside Manor, the clerks and cashiers at Rosauers, and the special angels who helped Jo Ann care for Denny at home for most of this long journey. It took a village.
To plant a tree in memory of Dennis Harris as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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