Herbert A. Harmison Jr. aged 88, passed away at Green Hills on March 5, 2022 in Ames. A memorial service will be at Green Hills, 2205 Green Hills Drive, Ames on Sunday March 13 at 2:00 pm. Please note daylight savings comes into effect, and masks are required to be worn at Green Hills.
Herbert (Herb) was born on July 15, 1933 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Herbert Sr and Adeline Harmison. He graduated from the prestigious Culver Military Academy in Culver Indiana in 1951, then attended Iowa State University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962, and earned his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1968, also from ISU.
Herb married Esther Hunter on April 23, 1955 in Sioux City, Iowa and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage before Esther's passing in May, 2017. Herb served in the U.S. Army, and later in the Iowa
National Guard, achieving the rank of Brigadier General. He was stationed in Colorado and Germany before returning to Iowa to attend ISU. Following Herb's graduation in 1962 he worked for the Berkeley Company in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Upon receiving his Masters degree he then enjoyed a distinguished teaching career at Iowa State as an Associate Professor, then Head Placement Director for the Engineering College. Herb and his staff helped countless ISU graduates secure employment in the engineering field and he received many awards and accolades for his work and was well respected by all who worked with him. He also served as president of the Midwest College Placement Association, was active in the Delta Upsilon Fraternity house and was the faculty adviser for both the Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers. Herb finished his working career at the University of Minnesota, serving as its IT Placement Director.
Throughout his life Herb always found time for his family and was a devoted husband and father. He reveled in working in his shop, both at Wood Street in Ames where the family grew up, and later at Meadow Glen Road. He was forever tinkering with cars, working with wood and maintaining and fixing whatever needed to or could be fixed. His natural curiosity would not allow him to simply give up on anything that looked beyond hope, and his shop was always filled with items under repair. Indeed there is a living example of his work still in use at Meadow Glen in the form of a 1936 toaster that Herb repaired many times over, and his children have kept it going more recently! While not a passionate sportsman, he did play basketball at Culver and during his freshman year at ISU. He was an avid sailor and had a great love of music evidenced by his impressive collection of classical albums. He passed on his love of all these endeavors to his four
children, Kathy becoming a professional musician and teacher, Chuck a professional basketball player and administrator, Dave enjoying a long career in engineering at Ford Motor Co. and Mark as a software engineer. They all four loved to sail as well and enjoyed countless hours on the water during the family's annual trips to Valhalla Resort in far northern Minnesota. Herb had the same avid interest in the lives of his grandchildren and great grandchildren as he did in his own children, loving them and encouraging them to follow their passions and dreams and view the world with as much wonder as he did.
In "retirement" Herb remained active in the community, serving on the board of Heartland Senior Services, and many other community organizations. His last few years at Green Hills were spent helping his fellow residents and serving on several committees, where his unrelenting desire to make things better for those around him was unceasing. His phone never stopped ringing with questions from people who were stuck with a computer problem or an IT issue, and if he didn't know the answer, he made it his mission to research and find a solution. This was his passion and he truly enjoyed helping others.
Herb is survived by his four children, Kathy (Steve) Andrews of Ames, Chuck (Leanne) Harmison of Woonona, Australia, Dave (Sandy) Harmison of Milan, Michigan, and Mark (Lisa) Harmison of Ames; grandchildren Meredith Stuart (Jonathan Schuster), Amy (Jeff) Hudson, Mitchell Harmison, Tigon (Ben) Woline, Mike Harmison, two great grandsons, Riorden and Weston, four great grand daughters Mirela, Delores, Harriet and Adeline and seven step grandchildren including Kim, Brian, Ronnie and Tim Miner.
Herb was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Rosene, and, of course, his wife Esther.
I was not prepared to hear about the passing of Herb; though I doubt that anyone is ever truly prepared for news of this nature. He was one of the rocks that kept me grounded while I spent 4 years at ISU working on an Industrial Engineering degree. Herb was a true mentor, not my official advisor, but more than that. He was always there to answer questions, give advise and provide motivation when necessary. It was through Herb's dedication and kind heart that when I graduated, I got lots of job interviews and offers and ended up with the job he guided me towards. He knew better than I that it was the right job for me, and I have always been grateful for his guidance. RIP Herb...you earned it.
My condolences to all bereaved. One of the most influential figures in my life has departed. He was my “Guru”, my Angel. It is a pure coincident that today is “Guru Purnima”in my Sanatani (secular) culture of India, whereby we reverentially pay tribute to our “Gurus” (teachers). On this auspicious day, I am moved to share my sentiments.
Because of him, I had gotten a job in the Cooperative Education Program which helped me complete my education at Iowa State when I was down to my last 5 cents. Herb was a friend, a guide and one of the best teachers.
RIP Herb. Pearly Gate is wide open for your admission in Lord’s Abode.
We came to know Herb when he moved to Green Hills a few years ago. Immediately, he became involved in anything that had to do with computers which included helping people with their computers, digital signage on campus and online, streaming facilities in the theatre and community room, community-wide communications among residents, showing movies and ISU athletic events, and many more activities. He became such an important part of the community that it is very hard to believe that he is gone. We send our sympathies to his family and to all that grieve his passing.
I was saddened to hear about Herb's passing and my thoughts go out to all of his family members and close friends. I came to know Herb through his volunteer IT work for Friendship Ark Homes & Community Services here in Ames. He was a great teacher and always ready to help. I learned a lot about computer trouble shooting and repair from Herb and have been able to build on the foundation he provided me to maintain our organizations computers. He was relentless in his efforts to save any piece of equipment worth saving, once even baking a motherboard (to our surprise it worked). Herb helped us solve many IT issues and I will forever have fond memories of his visits to our office to help fix yet another problem. Herb had a great impact on our community and I am sure he will be dearly missed by many.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers at this difficult time, Kathy and Steve.
This is a total shock for us. Our sincere condolences to all your family in this profound loss. We are in Massachusetts right now, so we will not be able to attend the memorial service at Green Hills. May all the achievements of Herb life remain with all of us as a loving benediction. David & Hanna Gradwohl.
So grateful for all those computer classes Herb would offer through Heartland Senior Services. He was patient, kind, knowledgeable, and just joyful in process of helping. (This was back in the day when tackling a computer was quite new and daunting for many seniors!) Also I enjoyed the time spent with the Harmisons supporting the Ames International Festival Association (AIOFA). He was a man of many talents and yes, his contributions and his voice are unforgettable!
To Herb's family,
My heartfelt sympathies to you all on your dad, grandpa, g. grandpa, etc.
I knew Herb and Esther thru Mary Greeley's primetime alive educational programs. Herb always had excellent questions or comments at the end of each topic!
I admired his knowledge not knowing his background until reading his very detailed work history.
May God comfort you all now and in the days, months, and years to come. He/Esther are together again.
I’m very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I have many good memories of he/your mom. I always loved his voice: strong and sure. Love to you all.
I just talked to your dad at South Pacific a couple of weeks ago, and he seemed to be doing pretty well, so I was really surprised to read about his passing. Sounds like the best way to end life however. So many memories have crowded through my mind this morning of all the times he either sat with me beside my computer, or we had potlucks at their home on Meadow Glen Road. Many discussion groups with his definite views on a variety of things. He was truly one of a kind!
Celebration Of Life
Ames, Iowa 50014
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