Harry Leslie Van Trees

It’s wonderful to learn that my dear friend and colleague Harry was born in Kansas City since today in marking his passing we are living in the greater Kansas City area about 35 miles east of the University of Kansas and not far from the University of Missouri after living in northern Virginia for about 25 years.

The Locklin and Van Trees families came together when our sister married Harry’s son Stephen Van Trees. Due to his humility, it was years before we learned of Harry’s many accomplishments. He was so dedicated to his family, a model for us all. We remember him with love and pray for Diane and all who loved him. Well done good and faithful servant.

Sorry to hear of the loss of Harry Van Trees. I am teaching a course using his amazing textbook. My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Van Trees while interviewing with M/A-COM Linkabit back in the 1980s. Mrs. Van Trees gave us a wonderful tour of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Harry and I changed out venue at GMU the same years. We both transitioned to GMU in the same 1984-85 period. He was a great brother in Christ. Harry and my son both ran somewhat together in the Marine Corps Marathon a few times. Prayers for his entire family from ours. He will be most fondly remembered to his 92 years on earth and in heaven. Blessings Harry

Dave

Harry and Diane became friends through their purchase of crosses from "My Caring Cross". Sending the small olive wood crosses to every corner of the world with love and a message of faith. He would call me each time they needed more and he would talk with enthusiasm about my running marathons without noting his running accomplishments. Our prays are with Diane and the whole Van Trees family from Angus and Karen (My Caring Cross)

A real American Legend I am sure all who knew of him will miss him greatly, I see where Mark gets his drive and his service to all he assists, my pleasure to work with Mark

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

I have spent so many celebrations with you Diane and family- anniversaries and birthdays at the farm in Stanardrsville. Our friendship goes back many many years and I so appreciate our very special friendship/ I fondly remember our times spent with Sister Mary over at St. Ann's in DC and all of those wrestling matches with young Harry at O'Connell with Mike and Tim- especially the time at the prep school finals at Lehigh University You and Harry enriched my life in so many ways. Mike and I also shared so many happy times with you and Mary & Fred Doyle. Those memories will always be with me. Harry was very special. Others have mentioned his academic achievements and love of family but I would like to add too how much I enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor. Another amazing thing about Harry was that he always seemed to know where he was going and what he was about. He was definitely a self-made man and he always had the devotion and support from you.. I cherish the friendship and the wonderful years Mike and I shared with you and your family! Some incredible times shared at your beautiful farm. Much Love, Nancy Reilly

So very sorry for your family's loss! What a wonderful life well lived and poured out for others! Mark 10:45

My deepest sympathies to the Van Trees family for their loss. Dr. Van Trees was my boss, mentor, teacher, and a great friend. He gave his employees every opportunity to better themselves and serve our country and he expected the best from them. He hired me a few years after I left graduate school and helped me in every possible way to find an effective role in his company. I also assisted him in many of his technical courses that he offered to our customers and truly learned from him. He was brilliant and accomplished and we all wanted to be like him. He was the boss that was truly the best of the best, both technically and managerially. I will always have him in my heart and thank him for setting a productive path of science, engineering, and teaching in my career. My prayers for your family. Fondly- Dr. Reza Eftekari

Our deepest sympathies to the entire Van Trees family for the loss of Dr. Van Trees.
He was a great and inspiring man. He will be remembered and missed by so many.
With love and condolences.

Dear Diane and Family,
Harry will always be with all of you ❤ in spirit. Big hugs to all.
Love & Light, Ann Reilly

Dear Diane and Family, I am saddened to learn of the passing of Harry. He lived a truly incredible life creating a loving family, an amazing career, and an Inspiration to his friends, colleagues and students. Harry will always be with all of you in spirit ❤ Love and Light, Ann Reilly

Harry,

While we only met a few times and shared a few brief conversations, it’s evident your legacy is one to truly be proud of. Thanks for creating a beautiful family that has touched so many lives. After meeting Tommy and getting to know his parents and siblings, it was clear how important family is to the entire group. May we all aspire to lay roots that flourish like these and leave the world a better place for being in it. Rest well sir.

Shane, Danielle, Tye, and Ethan

Harry and Diane visited Boys Town frequently and, as principal of the middle school there when they visited, I can remember the warmth you showed to our kids. We always appreciated seeing you. My prayers for your family. Cathy DeSalvo

Although I did not have the good fortune to know Prof. Van Trees, I learnt much from his books and papers. Rest in Peace, my Teacher, my Guru.

Through his three volume set on detection, estimation and modulation, Harry Van Trees was instrumental to the successes of several generations of signal processing, communications and control engineers. His books were renowned for their clarity, elucidation, simplification of a complex subject with extensive scope. They formed a principal basis for my own education in signal processing and, later as a professor of EE, on formulating my own teaching of the subject at the University of Michigan. I met him personally only a few times and on
was touched by his generosity and support of young academic researchers in signal processing. I had the pleasure of recently interacting with him virtually on the revision of his books. As he joins the long grey line, he will be greatly missed.