William Harbaugh

Eighteen years after Prof. Harbaugh's passing I thought of him, checked out Obituaries and came across this obituary. I was President of the Young Democrats 1958-59 during my last year at UCONN. Bill Harbaugh was an outstanding and lively Professor--one of my 2 or 3 favorites at UCONN, before I went on to graduate at the Univ. of Wisconsin Law School in 1962. I have remained a strong Democrat--undoubtedly in part because of Prof. Harbaugh's insights. He was a great teacher!

Bill was a dear friend and a wonderful neighbor in Chaplin, CT. We are going to miss him when summer comes. We had such happy times sitting on the deck and laughing and talking, listening to his stories. Then we had one of Wayne's great meals before walking home in the dark.

At the University of Virginia, he was the perfect mentor to his graduate students. He pushed us hard to do our very best and congratulated us when we did it. He followed our lives, encouraged our careers, and became a perfect lifetime friend. I miss him.

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of knowing this great man. He will be sorely missed. Bill and I served in the same unit, the 62nd, in WW II. Our conversations over the past year centered on those times. Catherine and I send our condolences to the family.

I met Bill Harbaugh upon his arrival at the University of Virginia in 1966. He guided me through my graduate work, for which I am so very grateful. Our bond endured over thirty-nine years. I visited Bill and Wayne regularly, both in Charlottesville and in Chaplin, CT. Bill Harbaugh touched endless number of his former students. While he will be greatly missed, he imparted an indelible mark as biographer, historian, teacher, and dear friend.

I was a student of Professor Hargaugh in 1971 at the University. I always enjoyed his lectures and insights. i will especially remember his thoughful discussions of the war. I am sorry to hear of his passing he was a wonderful teacher.