Chad Derek Harris

November 30th, 1975 ~

July 1st, 2024

Moab, UT-Chad Derek Harris of Moab, Utah passed away at the age of 48 on Monday, July 1st while traveling in Peru.

Chad was born on November 30th, 1975 to Earl and Shirley Harris in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Timpview High School in 1994 before attending BYU to major in Engineering. He served an LDS mission in Perth, Australia. He later received a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington (2004) and an MBA from Weber State (2009). Chad was an engineer by trade and at heart- he organized his home library by the Dewey Decimal System and had a spreadsheet for everything. He worked most recently at Intrepid Potash in Moab. Additionally, he worked as a consultant and had various business ventures. He volunteered his time as Chairperson of the Canyonlands Solid Waste Authority.

He was an incredible dad to two amazing sons, Wred (13), and Riis (10) whom he loved dearly and were his passion in life. Chad was also a brother, uncle, and friend to many.

Chad was a lover of the outdoors, hot springs, alt country, the Grateful Dead, travel, John Steinbeck, canoeing, and watermelon. He once ate watermelon for 108 days straight. He was an avid cyclist, having biked from the west coast to east coast in 2004 and racing mountain bikes professionally. He also had a knack for writing, maintaining a cycling blog for years and a "backpacking manifesto" he would write for friends on trips.

Making lasting traditions with his family and friends was important to Chad. He was making it a tradition to take his boys travelling internationally for weeks at a time in the summers. They have been backpacking across Europe, on safaris in Africa, and exploring Peru. Chad prioritized making lasting memories with his boys while learning about other cultures and living experientially.

He was preceded in death by his father Earl Harris, mother Shirley Harris, and brother Devin Harris. He is survived by his sons Wred and Riis Harris, his brother Darren Harris (Tina), niece Shanee, (Trent) and nephews Kaden (Madeline), Kyler, and Talmage.

His services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Stake Center, 701 Locust Lane, Moab, UT at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

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

Published by Moab Times-Independent from Aug. 5 to Aug. 8, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Chad Harris

6 Entries

Mark Redmond 1/2 Brothers

August 14, 2025

I´m sorry for our brother´s loss. I remember visiting you all at Christmas time. He was so young spirited, getting rowdy and getting growled at by your Mom! He´ll be missed in our brief memories we had to share.

September 17, 2024

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

Lynn J McKell

August 14, 2024

Darren, Kathy and I express our sincere condolences over Chad's death. We have fond memories of your family's time in Edgemont. We were very sorry to hear of the tragic circumstances for Chad, his sons, and family. May the Comforting Spirit bring peace and consolation to you and the family. Sincerely, Bro. Lynn McKell [ps - as circumstances permit please contact me - [email protected], 801-225-9280]

Pam Hackley

August 7, 2024

So sorry to hear about Chad. I served with him on the Canyonlands Solid Waste Authority and always appreciated his insights and contributions. Sending heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and that the memory and sharing of the good times will keep him in our hearts.

Thomas Moreau

August 7, 2024

Chad was my closest friend in Moab. We met on the Saturday Ride to Potash. One hot summer morning he turned the ride into a triathlon. We stopped at Gold Bar and swam the Colorado River to a giant sand bar, ran the length of it, then swam back to our bikes and pedaled back to town. Chad introduced me to yoga and exercise snacks; usually Tabata interval planks but box jumps and weights too. With his boys Wred and Riis we watched the annular eclipse precisely centered in the path. I will never again look at a watermelon and not think of him. Always hug your friends when saying goodbye, you never know which hug will be the last.

Weber State University Alumni Association

August 7, 2024

Dear Harris Family,

Our office noted with sadness the passing of your father, Chad, and we wish to send our condolences and sincere sympathy to you and your family at this time of bereavement. As a member of Weber State University´s extended family, friends and associates will miss him.

While we realize a condolence letter cannot lessen your sense of loss, we want to let you know that his achievements and contributions were appreciated at Weber State.

Sincerely,

Nancy B. Collinwood
Executive Director of Alumni Relations

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