Ernest E. Harmon

HARMON ERNEST EMERY HARMON, MD October 26, 1925 - June 21, 2010 Son of Ernest Emery Harmon, the highly acknowledged aviation pioneer, Ernest Harmon, Jr. "Ernie" was one of the youngest to ever graduate from George Washington University Medical School and become an intern for the US Navy Reserve. He died peacefully from cancer in his home, surrounded by his wife and family. At 23, he started his private practice delivering babies, and married Elsie Lois Stevens. Together, they designed and built what has become a landmark home office, helping treat families in the Silver Spring area and beyond for almost 40 years. Patients would enter the house, walk through an elegant waiting room, and check in with his secretary (his mother, Harriett Alexander Harmon), who was often busy knitting tiny yellow booties for expectant mothers. After the house was completed in 1950 with his practice in place, Ernie signed up to serve in the Korean War. He was instead stationed in Bermuda for 9 months until the war ended, where he was a Captain in the USAF, and a flight surgeon. Back at home, he made house calls with his brown leather medical bag, containing all the tools needed for diagnosis and treatment. He assisted anyone, anywhere. Often baskets of homemade goods were accepted from those in need, instead of payment. In 1977, he became president of the Montgomery County Medical Society, with the largest concentration of doctors in Maryland at that time. Ernie was only 6 when he lost his father in a plane crash. It was 1932. With his two older brothers nearly grown and gone, he spent the rest of his childhood with great determination. He was one of the youngest ever to become an Eagle Scout, at age 13. He worked his way through his teen years and beyond, scooping ice cream at Gifford''s on weekends and after school, and delivering papers daily before dawn. Scholastically, he skipped to higher grade levels whenever possible. His service in the Navy helped sponsor him through Medical School. Later as a father of three children, he became a Boy Scout leader, and PTA president for Montgomery Blair High School in 1972 and as a Blair graduate himself, was actively involved in their Alumni Association. Treating his precious family time with the same passion as his profession, Ernie included Elsie and their three children in world travels. The five of them rode camels in Egypt, climbed the Matterhorn, the Eiffel Tower, and cruised the Mediterranean. No golf, no country clubs. Ernie continued his world adventures throughout his lifetime, he and Elsie choosing to travel together on their own, taking public busses and trains wherever they could to better acquaint themselves with the daily life of local peoples. His creative ideas and advice were so sought after that he became a travel writer and later led excursions for AAA during his retirement. Also a great patron of the arts, he introduced his family to the vast cultural wealth of the Washington, D.C. area, taking them to countless plays, museums, musicals and concerts. Elsie, Ernie and the kids could also be seen climbing Old Rag Mountain and hiking the Appalachian Trail. Bigger than life, Ernest Harmon, like his father, stood at 6''6''''. Elsie was 5''2 1/2". After commanding the dance floor with their grace and style, people often asked for their autographs, thinking they were Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson. Preferring Tourist Class on cruises for its liveliness, their prominence in any room upgraded them frequently to the Captain''s table. Their last dance was on a transatlantic voyage just months before he died. They were married for 61 years. Survivors include his wife, Elsie; daughter, Stephanie Harmon Simonard; son, Randall Harmon; and daughter, Sally Harmon. All were greatly guided and influenced by their father. Stephanie has lived in Paris, France for 38 years and become a prominent member of the French/American community. As a lawyer, she helped shape international tax laws. Randy, an Eagle Scout at age 12, was an executive for Pan Am and later started his own travel agency. Sally became a concert pianist, educator and recording artist. The six grandchildren include: Sophie, Vanessa and Emilie Simonard; Jillian and Ross Harmon, and Allie Gruner. Allie is a 3rd year Medical student at OHSU, Jillian Harmon is a famous name in women''s basketball, and Emilie is studying aeronautical aviation in France. Sophie audits the US government in Washington, D.C., Vanessa is an artist in Paris, and Ross is enjoying his sophomore year at the University of Arizona. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at Arlington Cemetery on Wednesday, October 6th at 9 a.m. Please meet at the Administration Building promptly at 8:30 a.m. For questions regarding the service, please call Arlington Cemetery at (703) 607-8000.