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Harris Sobin Obituary

SOBIN, Harris Junius Professor and Architect, Dies at 79. Professor Emeritus of the University of Arizona, who pioneered historic preservation in the American Southwest, died Monday morning at his home in Sonoma, California at the age of 79. Born in Boston, MA in 1931, Harris grew up in suburban Boston. He earned three degrees from Harvard University in English, Law and Architecture, and was awarded two Fulbright Scholarships in Tropical Architecture (London, 1961-63) and for study of the iconic modern architect Le Corbusier (Paris, 1976-77). His teaching career included faculty positions at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan (1967-70) and the University of Arizona in Tucson (1970-2000). While his scholarly interests were broad and varied, it was through his pioneering work in historic preservation that Harris rose to civic prominence. In 1971, he learned that the Arizona State Highway Department planned to demolish the heart of Tucson's oldest and most historic downtown neighborhood - the Barrio Viejo - to make room for a freeway. Harris led his design students to conduct and publish a historic study of the neighborhood - the first of its kind - which ultimately convinced the State to re-route the freeway and save the Barrio. Now known as the Barrio Historico, this district remains one of the most treasured historic destinations of the American Southwest. Thereafter, Harris built an architectural practice focused on historic preservation projects and new construction in historic contexts. He was a driving force in the historic preservation efforts of Florence and Bisbee, and made major contributions to other Arizona municipalities including Tucson, Marana and Gilbert. In 1977, he published the 400-page Florence Town site Historic District Study that led to its establishment on the National Historic Register. Several non-governmental projects include a new Parish Center at Florence for the Catholic Diocese that earned him a design award from the American Institute of Architects in 1988. Beyond historic preservation, Harris' academic interests ranged widely, encompassing natural lighting and ventilation, architecture of tropical and arid lands, and modern art and architecture, with an emphasis on the work of the Swiss/French visionary Le Corbusier. He has produced numerous publications and lectures on these topics. During his final years as a lecturing professor, his capstone course on Le Corbusier was the most sought-after offering at the University of Arizona's College of Architecture. Harris is survived by his wife Françoise of Sonoma, California. He is also survived by daughter Anne-Christine (Sobin) McKibben, son-in-law Jeff McKibben, grandson Trevor and granddaughter Sophie, also of Sonoma, as well as daughter Isabelle (Sobin) Burkhart, son-in-law Jonathan Burkhart, grandson Harris and granddaughter Rena of Rhinebeck, New York. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at Sonoma Hills Retirement Center, 405 West MacArthur Street in Sonoma on Saturday, July 30 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arizona Historical Society, (520) 617-1165 or www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/donations.asp. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan's Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA.

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Published by Boston Globe on Jul. 28, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

Bill & Beverly Miller

August 2, 2011

Francoise and family, Beverly and I send you our sympathies and thoughts. We remember our good times with you and Harris in Tucson, and seeing you several years ago in Miami. May our wishes go with you and help fill the unfillable void.

Pat Malchow

July 30, 2011

After hearing of Professor Sobin’s passing from an email from a friend on route by train across the US I felt the void and waited for my thoughts. What came to mind is remembering working for Professor Sobin in his lovely home. While his students, Fred Durland and I assisted Mr. Sobin with the graphics for his book on the architectural history of Florence, Arizona. [Florence Townsite A.T., Prepared by Harris Sobin & Associates,Tucson, Arizona – May 1977]

I had to find my copy of the book and thumb through, and then visited Florence’s website looking for Sobin and found his work quoted.

“On first encountering the town of Florence, a visitor’s first impression may well include a sense of bewilderment at the multitude of periods, materials and forms which comprise the local scene. On closer examination, however, one discovers that Florence, when carefully “read”, constitutes a veritable museum for the study of changes in architectural styles and building traditions in Arizona since Territorial times.
A number of old structures have disappeared; many more have been remodeled out of all resemblance to their beginnings;but more than a full century after its founding, the town has managed to preserve a greater number and variety of early-day buildings than any other small town in the state.
The entire history of Territorial architecture can in fact be seen along the streets of Florence, with good examples of almost every style and building tradition developed during the period. These range from the earliest Spanish Colonial/Mexican Sonoran adobe vernacular, through at least two distinct phases of hybrid, or “Anglo-Sonoran” Territorial traditions, and finally through a rapid succession of purely Anglo-American brick and frame styles imported from Eastern, Midwestern and Californian cities during the closing years of the Territory and early years of statehood.”
— Florence Townsite A.T., Prepared by Harris Sobin & Associates, Tucson, Arizona – May 1977

I found myself thinking of a professor’s role in directing their students’ awareness to pay attention…. to detail. To focus. Focus on forces of time- the history, the intermingling of cultures, focus on forces that naturally shape without additional energy inputs, -breezes and breezeways, the sun’s path, irrigation ditches and topography that contour walls in an other than military grid like fashion. Listen to some of the details…..of the architecture he sought to preserve…

Conrad Brunenkant’s City Bakery (1889) (American Victorian Style) 291 N. Main St.
This two-story red-brick commercial building was constructed in 1890 for Conrad Brunenkant, a Dutch-born baker and grocer.
Jesus Martinez House (1875) (Sonoran Style ) 321 N. Bailey St.
Jesus Martinez, a farmer from New Mexico, built this adobe house from 1872 to 1880. The building features a Sonoran flat dirt roof and central patio. In 1886, Pinal County converted part of the building into the first County Hospital. It had six beds.
Second Catholic Church of the Assumption (1912) (Mission Revival Style)221 E. 8th St.
The building is the best example of Mission Revival Style in Central Arizona. The previous church on the site burned in 1893. This building was designed and constructed under the direction of Father Henry Heitz, the last of a long line of French-born priests in Florence.
Chapel of the Gila (1870) (Sonoran Style) 306 E. 8th St.
The chapel was the first Catholic Church built in Central Arizona. The Capilla was built by Father Andre Echallier. The 10-room “Capilla Complex” has served as a school (St. Theresa’s Academy for Girls), a parish hall, a recreation center, a food distribution center for the needy and indigent housing during the Depression.
Jean Baptiste Michea Residence and Lone Star Store (1878) (Sonoran Style) 220 E. Ruggles Ave.
The single-story portion of this building was built by French-born Jean Baptiste Michea, a farmer from the French region of Burgundy and former artilleryman with Maximilian’s occupation army in Mexico.
Chapel of the Gila (1870) ( Sonoran Style) 306 E. 8th St.
The chapel was the first Catholic Church built in Central Arizona. The Capilla was built by Father Andre Echallier. The 10-room “Capilla Complex” has served as a school (St. Theresa’s Academy for Girls), a parish hall, a recreation center, a food distribution center for the needy and indigent housing during the Depression.
Juan Avenenti/Angulo/Theophile Nicholas Meat Market Building (1886) (Sonoran Style)289 N. Main St.
Italian immigrant Juan Avenenti purchased this property in 1886 from Frank M. Griffen. Previously, it had belonged to Florence pioneers Levi Ruggles and Charles Douglas. Avenenti, a grocer, butcher and rancher, built the present structure for a meat market.
Jesus Preciado de Luna/Bernardina Lorona House (1880) (Sonoran Style) 115 E. 11th St.
Juan Luna built this single-story, Sonoran-style adobe house for his wife and put the title in her name, according to Spanish tradition.
Elena Llescas House (1879) (Sonoran Style, ET) 175 N. Bailey St.
This is one of only two buildings in the district in which all or a portion of the exterior walls are not parallel to the cardinal directions, or the original Ruggles street grid. The alignment of the walls corresponds to the contours of the local topography and alignment of early irrigation ditches.
Isabella Cosgrove House (1878) (Early Transitional Style, American Victorian Style)191 N. Bailey St.
Irish-born blacksmith, Frank Cosgrove, and his Sonoran-born wife Isabella, built this adobe walled,
mud-roofed Sonoran structure.
Joseph Spinas Rental House (1913) (American Bungalow Style)221 N. Bailey St.
This house was built as rental property for Joseph Spinas. A naturalized citizen of Swiss origin, Spinas was a prominent cattle rancher..
Sam Kee House (1880) (Late Transitional Style)171 N. Pinal St.
Built in the 1870s by Chinese-born Sam Kee, this home sits on the property line adjacent to Pinal Street.
Jacob Suter House (1888) (Late Transitional Style)270 N. Pinal St.
This house was built in 1888 for Swiss-born tinsmith Jacob Suter.

Professor Sobin quoted a song in his book and today articulated visions for Florence echo’s it

“Don’t throw the past away
You might need it some rainy day,
Dreams can come true again,
When ever old is new again. “ Pg 207

Florence, Arizona’s website says, “Our vision for downtown Florence is an economically vibrant community which embraces our history, encourages innovation and maintains our hometown character.”

And they celebrate yearly with a Florence Multicultural Festival and will have their 27th Annual Tour of Historic Florence , Sat Feb 11, 2012 where Professor Sobin’s conservation efforts have played a role in making it all possible.


As a hungry student working in Professor Sobin’s house, I remember at lunch time his gracious wife Françoise generously shared her French culture and cuisine. And specifically I remember a dessert of pears with a topping of chocolate sauce drizzled in a pattern.

Thank you both for enriching so many lives. Harris you are definitely missed. May you find Fred, my classmate, who at a young age preceded you, greeting you at heaven’s door.

Roy Valenzuela

July 29, 2011

I truly enjoyed getting to know Your Husband and Father over the 18 plus years that I had the pleasure of being his hair stylist. We shared family stories, carreer events, books signings etc. It had been awhile since I had seen him and oftened wondered how he was doing. when last I saw him he was not feeling well.
On Wednesday this week, for some reason, I had him on my mind when an elderly gentleman came into the restraunt where I was wearing a hat similar to Mr. Harris when I felt a strong presence of him around me. I opened my newspaper and there in the middle of the page was His picture and obituary. A tear droped from my eyes and then a smile knowing he is resting now.
My prayers are with all of you as I I remeber your Loved one fondly.

Lou Sweeney

July 28, 2011

As a friend of our family, he will always be remembered for keeping Arizona History alive and preserved for future generations. We feel for your loss. May the Lord Bless and Comfort your family.

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