Lafayette George Harter Jr.

Jr., Lafayette George Harter 93 May 28, 1918 Sept. 30, 2011 Lafayette "Lafe" G. Harter, Jr. died September 30, 2011 at the age 93. He was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa on May 28, 1918, the son of Lafayette G. Harter and Helen Ives Harter. In 1941 he graduated from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. That fall he enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve and served on active duty until January of 1946. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His duty included combat within the western Pacific where he and his shipmates on the Steamer Bay, CVE 87 earned six battle stars. After the War he attended Stanford University where he earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics. He taught at Menlo College in Menlo, Calif., and College of Marin in Kentfield, Calif. In 1950 he married Charlotte Mary Toshach of Saginaw, Mich. In 1960 they came to Oregon State University. He taught economics and courses involving labor. For a number of years he taught a course in economics on TV. Among his assignments were the management of some economic conferences, terms as faculty senator, inter-institutional faculty senator, chairman of the O.S.U. Board of Governors, and the Faculty Welfare Committee. As part of his interest in faculty welfare he served a term as president of the O.S.U. chapter of the Oregon State Employees' Association. He published several books and a number of articles. For about 25 years he served as an arbitrator in labor disputes. A number of his awards were published. He was also active in the Congregational Church. Also he served as mode members reconstituting the church in 1963 and was on the building committee for the present structure. Also he served as moderator, deacon, trustee, treasurer and other capacities. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Toshach Harter; his parents; and his siblings. He is survived by his son, Lafayette "Chip" G. Harter, III (Julie); his son, James Toshach Harter (Ken Salaman); his daughter, Charlotte Harter Mesecar (Roderick); and four grandchildren, Jane Sinclair Harter, James Hassett Harter, Charlotte Beatrice Mesecar, and Roderick Smit Mesecar. There will be a memorial service at the Corvallis Congregational Church at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 17, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to OSU Foundation for economics scholarships. We can be contacted at dad@harstan.com or 503-245-9724.