Harry Herbert Corson III

Nashville, TN

Harry Herbert Corson III died on December 20, 2015 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Harry was born in Nashville, Tennessee to Harry Herbert Corson II and Mary Phillips Corson. Harry earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in physics from Vanderbilt University and later received his PHD in mathematics from Duke University. While at Vanderbilt, Harry met and married Carolyn Womack and they enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage until her death in 2004. After spending a short time teaching at Tulane University, Harry was recruited by the University of Washington, where he taught and conducted research as a professor of mathematics until his retirement. Harry is survived by his daughter Mary Corson and son-in-law Jon Sackler and their children, Madeleine, Clare and Miles; his daughter Sally Corson and son-in-law Steve Schreiner and their children, Sara and Michael; his son Tom Corson and daughter-in law Susan O'Brien Corson and their children, Lewis and Anna; as well as his sister Clare Armistead and her sons, Hunter and Ben. Harry was a raconteur, inspired mathematician, gardener, superb tennis player, golfer, runner, biker, walker, and he could do a perfect head stand. He could be seen biking, running or walking all over Laurelhurst and Seattle long before outdoor exercise became generally popular. He was a southern gentleman who adopted Seattle as his home, living there happily for 50 years. Harry was a brilliant and loveable eccentric and his family and friends will miss all aspects of his personality and presence. No service is planned at this time but his family asks that those of you who knew Harry raise a glass in his honor while sharing a favorite memory of your time with him. Handsome Harry loved to laugh and that is his epitaph. To leave online condolences please visit http://www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean on Dec. 27, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Corson

11 Entries

Jim Nelson

December 22, 2019

Harry was a great friend. He was an articulate and humorous companion right up to the very end. Even as he developed dementia, he told remarkable stories and sang great funny old Timey songs. We played golf every Friday afternoon for several years. I remember him with great fondness.

Paul Mostert

January 13, 2016

Harry was a truly extraordinary person. It was a privilege to have known him and to have been a friend and colleague of his at Tulane University.

Alyssa

December 31, 2015

To the corson family
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
The loss of a dear loved one is the
most difficult thing to go though
may you find comfort from the scripures
that tell us we will see them again
like John 6:40

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Catherine Morrow

December 31, 2015

I hold a sweet spot in my heart for Harry, Carolyn, and all of the Corson clan, from my childhood days growing up in Laurelhurst... From my early years, when I would listen to my dad banter with Harry as only two math professors can, while I played with the kids' old toys in the house on 42nd; to my years of approaching adulthood, when I babysat the grandchildren and hung out with all three generations in the house on Surber. Thinking of all of you fondly and nostalgically. xx

December 30, 2015

Always to be remembered on his birthday,what else Ground Hogs' Day! A man who wrote poetry to his wife," the mission bells are ringing,ringing for you-Dear Old Girl" and for you Harry..The glass is raised..A friend Ethel

Jim Morrow

December 30, 2015

I loved walking in to work with Harry. He was a great friend.

Bruce Douglas

December 30, 2015

To all of my friends in the Corson family, I am so sorry for your loss. Harry was always the cool calm one in the neighborhood and always a dependable safe adult in our childhoods in the alley. Even though I haven't seen Harry in years, his passing leaves a void.
By coincidence,my dad, Don Douglas, passed on the same day at age 95. Two of the last standing from our neighborhood.
I would love to hear from any or all of you if you get a moment. Mary, I was just looking for you on Facebook the other day to no avail. My email address is [email protected].

Lori Davies

December 27, 2015

I am sorry to you Corsons for your loss. After Carolyn passed away (one of my mom, Peggy Demarests, best friends) I tried to visit Harry a few times a year and bring him pastries. He couldn't always remember my name but referred to me as "Peggy's little girl"....perfect. Harry and Carolyn are a powerful memory in my life.

James Nelson

December 27, 2015

I have already been missing hearing from the past several years. Still, his final passing is a sad time for you and all of his friends. Please except my deepest sympathy.Harry was a great character. I will probably never again meet his match.

December 25, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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