Name: Visitation for Richard Harrison
Start: 2016-01-05T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-01-06T01:00:00.000Z
Location: The Healy Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services - Aurora Facility

Richard Evans Harrison, 83, of North Aurora, IL, passed away January 1, 2016, at his home surrounded by family. He was born November 4, 1932, in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Nokomis High School (IL), and after studying for two years at Eastern Illinois University, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952 and proudly served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and the USS Yorktown. After his discharge he returned to Eastern and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1958. He taught band and choir in Fairbury, IL, then returned to Eastern and was awarded a Master's Degree in 1961. He joined West Aurora (IL) School District #129 in 1961 as band director at Franklin Junior High School, and for 31 years held a number of teaching and administrative positions. He retired in 1992 as band director at West Aurora High School, having held that position for the previous 16 years. In retirement he enjoyed many activities, and took advantage of the opportunity to spend time with and get to know each of his grandchildren. Everywhere he traveled he ran into former students, and felt joy when they would re-introduce themselves. He had an amazing ability to remember their name, the instrument they played, or where they sat in the band room. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lynn (Lathrop), sons Jay (Denise) of Aurora and Daniel (Sherri) of North Aurora, grandchildren Michael, Kathryn, Kelsey, and Kendall, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Agnes Harrison, and by his brother, Dr. Charles Harrison. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 5, from 3-7 P.M. at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora, where the family will receive friends. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Dick's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), or the West Aurora Department of Bands, in care of the Director's Fund. For further information please call 630-897-9291 or visit www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence.

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Published by Beacon News on Jan. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Harrison

36 Entries

Kristin Popolizio Emerson

January 12, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I will always remember how much joy and happiness he brought to playing and directing. I was proud to have him as my teacher for elementary and high school bands. He was an inspiration to so many!

David Lamar Stoltz

January 7, 2016

David L. Stoltz&family give are condolences to the family∈-laws of Dick,he will be truely miss by all.

Rachel Maxwell

January 5, 2016

To the Harrison Family, We are thinking of all of you during this time. Your dad will be missed by many.

Stephen Roos

January 5, 2016

Mr. Harrison liked to call me 'Rock and Roll Roos' with his big smile because I had a tendency to dance while I played saxophone in the marching band during half-time before it became fashionable - Ha.

I was blessed to have such an awesome teacher. Thank you Mr. Harrison.

January 5, 2016

Lynn & Family, From Florida, just heard about Dick. I am proud to have had him as a truly special friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. May God comfort you and the Harrison family.

Love, Cass & Don Voss

Mike Sadler

January 5, 2016

One of my favorite teachers & humans!!! will be missed :)

Emily Mullin

January 4, 2016

Mr. Dan Harrison & Family,
My prayers are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time. I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending many prayers, thoughts, and hugs to you all.

January 4, 2016

I miss you Grandpa

~Kendall Harrison

Andrew Cole

January 4, 2016

I treasure my time in the West Aurora H.S. band and Dick Harrison was a big part of that. My deepest sympathies to the Harrison family.

Larry Shepard

January 4, 2016

Harrison Family,
Mr. Harrison will truly be missed. What a great and thoughtful man, who wore that ever-present smile. I am proud to have called him teacher,colleague and friend!

January 4, 2016

Dear Lynn and the Harrison Family,

Our prayers are with you. We were sorry to hear of Dick's passing. We have a great many memories he always was a great guy and full of fun. He will be greatly missed.

Marcia and Vince Popolizio

Lois Cohrs

January 4, 2016

From another Eastern Alum widow, I am sorry for your loss. I will always remember Dick's friendly smile. My prayers are with you.

Pat Miller

January 4, 2016

Dear Harrison Family

I am so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. He was a friend to everyone he met. I worked with Dick as the Village Clerk and he was a Trustee. I had great respect for him, not only as a Village official but for the person he was. May he rest peacefully in the arms of God

Mark Orland

January 3, 2016

Dear Harrison Family,

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Harrison. I have so many great memories of High School band with Mr. Harrison smiling back as us from the podium. He was a great teacher and he genuinely cared for his students. I will remember his kindness and patience with all of us and what fun we had on the trips he planned. We were very blessed to have him as our director and teacher.

Prayers for comfort and peace for all of you.

Stan Smith

January 3, 2016

Deepest sympathy to the Harrison family for your loss. Dick was a good man.

Jim Darling

January 3, 2016

I know the positive impact Dick had on our sons during their band experience at West High. I enjoyed working with him during my tenure with the Band Boosters. May his soul rest in peace and his memory grace the halls of West for years to come.

Beth Wilke-Scherr

January 3, 2016

I did not participate in High School Band so did not have the pleasure of knowing Mr Harrison, but was a classmate of Dan's. My condolences to the Harrison Family.

Sherry Eagle

January 3, 2016

My thoughts and prayers go to the family of Richard. He was my daughter;s band director as well as a great teacher in the school district. There was never a time in my 16 year tenure in West Aurora that he did not have a great hello or a kind word to be said on behalf of others. His legacy is one that is honorable.

January 3, 2016

Dear Harrison Family,

Our condolences are going out to the whole family.
I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Harrison as my band director for all 4 high school years. To this day, I can't imagine a better way to start the school day than in the band room with Mr. H. Jazz Band, concerts, Band trips...all the memories are good and Mr. Harrison was a big part of that.
Loss is always difficult, but let this be tempered with the knowledge of the incredibly positive impact this man had on so many.
Blessings,
Jim and Mary Spring

Nancy Larson Horton

January 3, 2016

Mr. Harrison was Vice Principal at Franklin Jr. high when I went there. Such a kind and humorous guy. Always had a smile on his face. I don't remember him leading the band I guess because I was not in the band. That's really amazing that he had that talent as well.

My condolences to your family. He was a wonderful person.

Kathy Gleasman Pisaro

January 3, 2016

So sorry to hear of Mr. Harrison's passing. I was a student of his at North Campus from 77-79 and thanks to his help, I am now a professional oboist living and working out in Los Angeles. He was a very kind person and never gave up on a student. So glad to have known him and to have so many amazing memories of making music with him. Loving thoughts to all of his family and also to his extended family of student musicians who have had the honor of working with him throughout the years. He put a lot of music into the world in his lifetime!

Gina Leonardi Chambers

January 3, 2016

My condolences to the Harrison family. I too was one of Mr. Harrison's band students, from 1980-1984. I have great memories of my time in the band, and of Mr. Harrison. The photo truly captures the warmth and happiness I remember about him.

Lori (Kallenbach) Hoots

January 3, 2016

Harrison family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. He made music fun. He was my first band teacher in fifth grade in the sixties. I learned to play Tonette and flute from him. My late parents, Merrill and Judy Kallenbach, were also friends of his. I enjoyed seeing him much more recently, minding the desk near the door at Dreyer. He will be missed.

Mary Ann Sestak

January 3, 2016

My sincere condolences to the Harrison family. I am very sorry for your loss. Dick was a fine man and educator. I always enjoyed his friendly smile and compassion as a greeter at the Highland Dreyer Clinic. May God grant you His peace and comfort at this time of deep sorrow. God bless!

David Kline and Family

January 3, 2016

Dear Harrison Family,

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I grew up as a neighbor playing with Jay and Dan, then as one of Mr. Harrison's band students during 1977-1979 at North Campus. I remember him as a very kind, gentle, and compassionate person, as well as the best high school band instructor.

It is an honor and privilege to have known him as well as been one of his students. I have many great memories as a child and as a student.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.

Jody Placek

January 3, 2016

Thank you, Mr. Harrison, for your dedication to the West Aurora High School Band. Who else but the bravest educators would take 150 high schoolers out of the country on a band trip?! RIP...I will always hold you in high regard for everything you did for us.

January 3, 2016

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.

Cheryl Lody

January 2, 2016

My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Mr Harrison was my band director from '85-'88 and I adored him. Many years later, my son Mitchell was in band with his Granddaughter, Katie. I would enjoy seeing him at their concerts, where he'd never miss the opportunity to ask how my parents were doing. He was a legacy in district #129's amazing band program. The fond memories he had of teaching were apparent, and his love of music was contagious. I pray that your entire family finds peace in knowing Mr Harrison is well with the Lord, and that you may feel the warmth of his presence and see his smile everyday in a song❤

April Kelley (formerly Johnson)

January 2, 2016

My heartfelt condolences to the Harrison family and loved ones. I was a student of his at West from 89-93 and he was such a great influence for me and I came to appreciate his real world approach to things as I was preparing to graduate high school. Enjoyed his humor and I still remember how he would jiggle his change in his pocket when our rehearsals weren't going so well :-). It's been so long since but still so proud to have know him. Praying for God's peace and His strength over you all.

Michele Scott

January 2, 2016

Dear Harrison Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Harris was my band director at West Aurora from 1982-85. I have many fond memories of that time. I know he will be greatly missed

Karen Fox-Bozarth

January 2, 2016

Prayers going to the entire Harrison Family. Mr. Harrison has left such a wonderful legacy and was respected by so many. My mom taught with him for many years and I was lucky to have him as a band director for my 4 years at North Campus which was even more fun because his wonderful son Dan was in the same class. But some of my favorite memories came later when he was a ranger at Orchard Valley Golf Course. I would see him every weekend throughout the summer and he would stop and reminisce. He loved it when we would be cooking out and was always happy when we had hot dogs on the grill. RIP Mr. Harrison. You will be so missed.

Danielle Colby (Leppert)

January 2, 2016

Mr Harrison was one of my favorites in school. He challenged us to be the best we could be, and we did just that for him. We played our butts off! We loved making him laugh and smile, and I know he was proud of us. He got us to practice and simply love music. The class of '88 will miss you:)

Tom, Dawn Alexander & Malina

January 2, 2016

Dear Lynn & entire Harrison family,
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
and make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace (Num 6:24-26) during this time of profound grieving. We are with you in spirit, continually holding you up in prayer, and send you our love.

Laura (Hutchings) Crow

January 2, 2016

So many lives touched and hearts inspired. I will always remember his warm smile and love for both students and music. Prayers for comfort and peace.

Julie (Hoefle) Stanley

January 2, 2016

Wish I could be there for you Dan. I know how hard it is to go through this. Thinking and praying for comfort for you and your family. Remember he s in a great place leading a new band of angels.

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