Richard Lee Harris

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Marblehead High School Northwestern University

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Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home - Silver Spring

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Silver Spring, Maryland

Richard Harris Obituary

Richard Lee Harris, a beloved family man and distinguished journalist, died in hospice in Washington DC on October 2, 2024. He was 70.

Richard shaped some of the world's biggest news stories over the past half century as a broadcast producer for NPR's All Things Considered, news editor at NBC News, and senior producer for ABC News' NIGHTLINE for almost two decades. He structured a first-of-its-kind televised town hall between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 1988 and secured NIGHTLINE's interview with Nelson Mandela moments after his release from South African prison. Richard's pitch for Ted Koppel to interview Brandeis professor Morrie Schwartz on the topic of death and dying put in motion the global best-selling memoir Tuesdays with Morrie.

Richard won 14 News & Documentary Emmys and a Columbia DuPont award, and is honored as a standout alumnus in the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism Hall of Achievement.

In his personal life, Richard enjoyed playing word games with his sister, taking photographs of nature and family moments, bonding with the family dog on late-night walks, and savoring coffee and ice cream (or better yet ï¿½ coffee ice cream). Richard spent some of his happiest moments as Papa to his three grandchildren ï¿½ reading together, filling the bird feeder, and indoctrinating them into Red Sox Nation.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Kit (O'Connell) Harris; daughters Emily Harris, Susannah Harris, and Lily Harris; sons-in-law Duza Baba and Ben Estabrook; grandchildren Miles Baba, Cecelia Baba, and Norah Estabrook, and sister Debbie Mozes, along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred 'Millie' Harris and Lester 'Lefty' Harris, and his uncle Jonas Chaves.

A Celebration of Life honoring and remembering Richard will be held in early 2025. To honor Richard through charitable donation, please consider giving to:

The John Alexander Project: An initiative Richard helped found to launch up-and-coming journalists covering under-represented stories (www.thejohnalexanderproject.org/richard)

The Jimmy Fund: Official charity partner of the Boston Red Sox, supporting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's cancer research and patient care (www.dana-farber.org/gift)

Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 18, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Harris

12 Entries

Willie Weinbaum

October 24, 2024

It was a pleasure and a privilege to know Richard and have a friendship for a dozen years, beginning when we interviewed him about Al Campanis/Nightline for this ESPN online story https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7751398/how-al-campanis-controversial-racial-remarks-cost-career-highlighted-mlb-hiring-practices & its accompanying TV report. We had a shared alma mater, Northwestern/Medill, and stayed in touch about NU, journalism and sports. He was a cheerful, committed, ethical and humane person and leaves a rich legacy of warmth and care. Condolences and best wishes ...

Jeff Neeley

October 21, 2024

Like Carin I first met Richard in Willard Hall at Northwestern. He, Howard Goller, Mike Van Hamersveld and I later moved into a house in Evanston. The house was atrocious, but the companionship and discussions there were outstanding. Even then, Richard worked hard and was dedicated to his craft. One could see already his talent for talking to people and relating to them. He also could be a good source for tickets for some venues in Chicago, which may have been a result of the same talents. Truly a great person. My deepest condolences to Kit and his family. May his memory be a blessing.

Carin (Cookie) Gendell

October 20, 2024

The first time that I met Richard was on the first floor of Willard Hall when I moved in as a freshman and he was a sophomore. I was arriving as a Medill School of Journalism student and he seemed to really know how things worked. Rich helped convince me to work on WNUR the university radio station. I had never considered broadcast journalism before (I think that was a lifelong theme for him!). Even in those early days I could tell that Richard was destined for a great career as a journalist! His commitment, enthusiasm, and talent were on display early and he was wonderfully encouraging and supportive of other Medill students. May his memory be a blessing to his family and to everyone who was lucky enough to know him as a colleague.

Jon Lord

October 20, 2024

Whether it was sitting next to him in 10th grade Geometry class or meeting with him last year in Minneapolis, I always knew I would have an enjoyable and thoughtful conversation with Richard. We will miss him.

Douglas Harris

October 19, 2024

I grew up with Dickie, as he was known back then. We were the same age but lived in two different towns, He in Marblehead and me in Swampscott. We lived about a 5 minute walk from each other. We were always invited to each others birthday parties. Where we dressed up sport coats and ties. We also worked together at the local market, Leshner´s stocking shelves, bagging customers food and carrying them out to their cars for small tips. We stayed friends throughout high school but lost touch after that. We reconnected through face book a couple of years ago and were hoping to reunite again after more that 50 years of not seeing each other. So many wonderful memories together in our early formative years. This photo shows Dickie in the front row in a white shirt and black necktie. I´m directly behind him in a white suite and bow tie. Btw, we were 2nd cousins and shared the same last name. RIP Richard you will be dearly missed.

Heather Pillar

October 18, 2024

I am so grateful to Richard Harris since 2010 when he advocated for my photographs to go along with his articles of Morrie Schwartz and then writing an essay for my book: Memento Morrie. I will miss his kind and gentle encouragement. May his memory be a blessing.

Lakshmi Singh

October 18, 2024

Richard was always easy to talk to. He was direct, funny, kind, and so generous with his advice. I will not forget any of it. I was so very lucky to have met this good soul and to have one more chance to embrace a friend.

GARY BOYARSKY

October 18, 2024

Richard Harris in Johannesburg, South Africa with ABC News Nightline

Russell Clampitt

October 18, 2024

In college, Richard was so calm and helpful to me at the campus radio station. When the weather conditions were right, the signal went as far south as Fullerton Avenue in Chicago!

Rob Schwartz

October 18, 2024

I am so deeply grateful to Richard and gutted by his too-soon departure. Richard was such an instrumental part of getting my father´s message out to the world and continuing to support me when I released a book by my dad last year (2023). His warm, supportive demeanor was always a joy to experience and his efforts to help my dad and my were absolutely invaluable. There is a void in the Tuesday with Morrie universe that cannot be filled. My deepest condolences to Kit and the family. - Rob Schwartz

Dianne Hammer McCarthy

October 18, 2024

Remembering my high school and home room classmate, Richard. He always had a great smile and kind words for everyone. May you rest peacefully and your memory be a blessing to your family.