Sometimes the only thing
you can learn from an obituary is that a really cool person who you never got
to know has recently died.
THOMAS
H. HARRIS, 77
Moving firm's international chief
By Patricia Trebe
Special to the Tribune
March 4, 2003
Thomas Harris never knew a stranger.
His home in Munich, Germany,
where he lived while head of that office for the international
division of North
American Van Lines Inc., was often a place for hitchhikers to stay.
"He
would open his door to anyone," said his daughter Beth Boss.
Later, as president of North American's international division, he faced many
challenges working with agents
in world markets, his daughter said, but his affability
helped to minimize their impact.
"There are always problems
when you are shipping goods around the world. But he was a very intelligent
man, and because of his friendly nature, his personality would often help smooth
over those problems," his daughter said.
Mr. Harris, 77, formerly of Chicago, died of leukemia Friday, Feb. 28, in Tillers
Nursing Home in Oswego.
He was born and raised in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Mr. Harris graduated from Indiana
University with a bachelor of arts degree in business. He served stateside
in the Army in World War II, working in psychological
warfare, his daughter said.
After the war, he returned to his hometown to work as a clerk
in the personnel office of North American, which is based in Ft. Wayne. There,
he met his future wife, Janet.
In 1969, Mr. Harris and his wife and children moved to Munich, where he became
office manager there for the international division. The family moved back to
Ft. Wayne in 1972. Mr. Harris
remained with the international division and later became its president.
In 1985, when his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he retired and devoted
his time to caring for her. While she was being treated in the University
of Chicago Hospitals, Mr. Harris kept an apartment in Chicago.
"After my mom died, he didn't want to return to Ft. Wayne because of all
the memories," his daughter
said.
He stayed in Chicago, living on North
Lake Shore Drive and became a volunteer for the Art
Institute of Chicago as a clerk in the gift shop. He also organized free
concerts through his church, St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago.
Two years ago, Mr. Harris was diagnosed with dementia
and entered Arden Court in Geneva,. It was there that his leukemia was diagnosed,
his daughter said.
Other survivors include two more daughters, Rebecca Smurthwaite and Christine
Hurtsellers; a sister, Janet Klein; and nine grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Dieterle
Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery.
Copyright
2003 Chicago Tribune (Registration required)
7:43:12 AM 
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