HONOLULU, HAWAII/PRICE, UTAH-Harris M. Gitlin, passed away peacefully in the arms of his son, Bob on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. He was 94 years old. He was born Feb. 20, 1913 to Phillip and Bessie Gitlin in Columbus, Ohio.
He was raised there and in Grove City, Ohio where he worked on a farm and developed his love for agriculture. He graduated from both Ohio State and Michigan State Universities. He served in the military from, 1941 to 1946. He was a major in the 928th Army Corp. Of Engineers.
He married Margaret Watts in 1943. She was the love of his life. They were married for 54 years.
After the war he returned to Ohio State as an assistant professor. He next went to Michigan State for an advanced degree and later he took a position with the University of Hawaii as a professor of Agricultural Engineering. He was a world wide consultant in tropical agriculture.
Harris retired at the age of 68. He then pursued his next great passion, sailing. He spent the next 20 years sailing his boat, the Shamal, around the world. In 2007 Harris moved to Price to be closer to family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret.
He is survived by his son, Robert (Janis) of Price; grandchildren, Lisa (Tito) Nanni, John (Mika) Gitlin, and Mike (Genna) Gitlin of Salt Lake City; and his six precious great-grandchildren, Rachel, Tito-Mike, Bella, Brighton, Gabi, and Eden.
There will be no funeral, at his request. At a later date Harris’s ashes will join Margaret’s on the beautiful waters of the Pacific off of Diamond Head in Hawaii.
Harris M. Gitlin
"Harris M. Gitlin"