The family of Dr. Robert E. Harrison, an American Hero from the Greatest Generation, has requested the PGR be present to honor their hero for his service to our country. It will be our privilege to fulfill their request.
Dr. Robert Eugene Harrison, 98, served in the U.S. Army from 28 Jan 1943 to 19 Feb 1946 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. During his time in the Army, he served in the Special Engineers Detachment (SED) at Oak Ridge, TN from Aug 1944 to Aug 1945 where he worked as an engineering aide in the field of physics in the development of the atomic bomb (the Manhattan Project). He received the American Theater Service Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
In 1945 in eastern Tennessee, Bob met his future wife, Frances Joann (“Joann”), who, like him, worked as an electrical engineer on the Manhattan Project, and in 1946 they married. After WWII, they moved to Martin, Tennessee, then Manhattan, Kansas, where they both finished their bachelor's degrees. Robert completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in mathematics. In the late 1950s, Bob pursued his doctorate in electrical engineering, mathematics, and physics at Purdue University. After completing his PhD, Bob and his young family moved to Southern California.
Over the next three decades, Robert worked in many capacities for various aerospace companies, including the Aerospace Corporation, Technology Service Corporation (TSC), TRW, Hughes Aircraft Company, and Northrop Corporation. Throughout his career, because of his expertise in statistical noise, Bob found himself called upon to work on specialized projects for the United States government and at various companies. Bob was very proud that he played a critical role in resolving guidance system problems on the Mace missile, which a few years later would play a key role in preventing nuclear war with the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Robert also assisted NASA in coursing where U.S. astronauts would land when returning to earth during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also played a primary role in developing collision avoidance radar and in studying and reporting on the devastating aftermath of the U. S. Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test conducted in 1962, which created a dangerous electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and od an artificial radiation belt that lingered for ten years above the earth. Bob’s work played a key role in highlighting the dangers of conducting nuclear tests in space. Some of Bob Harrison’s other important work includes making major contributions in the development of stealth technology and of the B-2 stealth bomber.
After retiring in the 1990s, Bob continued to work some as a tutor to students in advanced sciences and mathematics. Though initially uncertain whether he would enjoy tutoring, he came to love helping younger people develop their minds and skills. Robert also relished traveling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandkids.
When Bob’s wife died, he sold the family home and moved to Orange County from Rancho Palos Verdes. Robert lived in Mission Viejo for most of the last nineteen years of his life. During that time, he found a renewed sense of purpose in serving God and others. In addition to serving as President of the Computer Club for several years at Casta Del Sol Retirement Community, he also served as an usher and greeter at his church, Coast Hills Church in Aliso Viejo, California. Bob also served faithfully at least two days a month as a volunteer with the Coast Hills Church Food Pantry. He loved to talk to and assist people in need both in the church and wider community. One of Bob’s jobs with the food pantry was handing out toilet paper. Friends from the food pantry jokingly wonder if Bob will be handing out toilet paper in heaven! Bob’s concerns for others extended far beyond his church community. He volunteered with the Saddleback Church HIV & AIDS Initiative for two of their annual conferences and walked in the Orange County AIDS Walks and other charity walks.
On top of his many volunteer activities, Robert Harrison did extensive reading in Christian theology and history, studied languages, and continued to work extensively on solving advanced mathematical and scientific problems that have remained unsolved for decades. Over the last two decades of his life, much of this work centered on solving problems in mathematics and fluid mechanics that he had been working on since he completed his doctorate in electrical engineering at Purdue University in 1962.
Robert’s wife of 57 years, Joann, predeceased him in 2003. He is survived by his three sons, Steven, David, and Robert and their respective spouses. He is also survived by brothers Walter Harrison and John Harrison, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, as well as a large extended family of cousins, nephews, and nieces, and a large network of close-knit friends.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, this will be a flag line only (FLO) at the church. Please see the timetable below if you would like to participate.
NOTE: Please observe the latest COVID restrictions. TIMETABLE FOR SATURDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 20220845 - Gather at the north end of Walmart parking lot, 27470 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.
https://goo.gl/maps/MxVYxKHrWm4CrVKK90900 - Mission briefing.
0915 - KSU to Coast Hills Church, 5 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/zfFyCRvJWfqGkoZJ90920 - ETA Coast Hills Church.
0930 - Flag Line as family and friends enter church
1000 - Begin memorial service, Military Honors
1015 - PGR Dismissed.
Lester Forsythe, aka Rottndog
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
MM2/SS, United States Navy ('87-'93)714-743-3574
pgrrottndog@gmail.com
Freedom IS NOT FREE....Let us never forget those who have paid its' highest price!
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
