Dr. Barton A. Harris

HARRI S , Barton A. On April 1, 2008, BARTON A. HARRIS, M.D., age 78, of Jefferson County, West Virginia, died at Blue Ridge Hospice. Dr. Harris was born in 1929 in Newburg, New York, the son of the late Dr. William Barton and Florence W. Harris. Dr. Harris was a physician of internal medicine, having earned his undergraduate degree from Union College, and Medical degree from New York Medical College with a residency at Upstate Medical Center Syracuse. He was a Captain in the Army of Occupation in Germany, from 1956 to 1958. He began his career with the North Shore Medical Group in Huntington, New York. He then went to work for DuPont Pharmaceuticals in Wilmington, Delaware, and later for Squib Pharmaceuticals in Princeton, New Jersey. Dr. Harris developed and executed research protocols, bringing the antibiotic, Amantidine, as well as other medications on line. He was Director of Utilization at the University Medical Center at Princeton, and he was in practice with the Princeton Hospital Medical Group. He also developed and directed the impaired physician program for the New York State Medical Society. Dr. Harris served as medical director for residential treatment centers in Newport, RI and at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. He retired from the VA Medical Center, Martinsburg, WV. Dr. Harris served on the boards of Shenandoah Medical Center, and EdgeHill Recovery Center. He was a volunteer for Big Brothers. He was a physician volunteer in Selma, Alabama in the 1960's. He was an aficionado of jazz, and played alto sax for the Warren and Clarke County Community Bands. Dr. Harris was also an avid sailor and he enjoyed photography. Dr. Harris married Carol A. Ellenberger on July 30, 1994 in Shepherdstown, WV. Surviving with his wife are his sister, Margaret Corey of Lewiston, NY and his former wife, Lois Harris of Hopewell, NJ. Dr. Harris is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Verlee Harris and Grayson Ferrante; step-daughter and son-in-law Brea and Shannon Abel; sons and daughters-in-law Barton and Frances of Valley Stream, NY, Nathan and April of Frederick, PA, Calvin and Lori of Clemmons, NC, and James Harris and Carolyn Coughlin of Hightstown, NY; 13 grandchildren, six nieces and four nephews.
A memorial service will be held on April 19, 2008 at 3:00 at The Religious Society of Friends, 604 Hopewell Road, Clearbrook, VA 22624. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601 (www.blueridgehospice.org) or the Religious Society of Friends, 604 Hopewell Road, Clearbrook, VA 22624. (www.hopecentre.quaker.org)