February 17, 2020, Lake Peekskill, New York
Major: Political Science
Williams service
- WBAN Steering Committee
- Class Associate Agent
- Admissions Representative
Williams relatives
- Ms. Jacqueline J. Harris ’16 (Child)
Date reported: February 21, 2020
February 17, 2020, Lake Peekskill, New York
Major: Political Science
Williams service
Williams relatives
Date reported: February 21, 2020
Jann Williams wrote: Dear Rich and Charles (Mitchell), thank you for conveying this very sad news. Please give my condolences to Eric’s family. As I am in LA, I will not be attending the service on Friday. But my thoughts and prayers are there.
Rob ODonnell wrote: Rich, thank you for letting us know. This getting older thing has its down side. RIP, Eric.
Rick Vancisin wrote: Hi Rich, thanks for the email to the class about Eric. I had actually tried to call him on Friday and knew through Paola that things weren’t good but didn’t realize he was that close to passing. She has texted me that the funeral services are on Friday at Lee Funeral Home in White Plains from 5-7, if anyone is interested in possibly attending.
So sad. But know he was glad to have been able to make our reunion.
Mike Adams wrote: Thanks Rich. Sad indeed.
Bob Kaus wrote: Very sad news, indeed. I sat next to Eric at our reunion dinner, and while he was clearly in rough shape, we had a wonderful conversation. I feel very fortunate to have been able to spend some time with him before his passing.
Sheila Mason wrote: That’s sad news, Rich. Sorry for your and your class’s loss. Absolutely feel free to include my tribute message.
Charles Dropkin wrote: Very sad news indeed.
John Ramsbottom wrote: I’m glad Eric could be there for the 45th. Sorry for your especially personal loss in his passing. Freshman-year ties do not break easily. Thanks for the gift of life and the sacred gift of memory.
Jon Fitch wrote: That’s awful. Glad that I saw and spoke with Eric at the reunion. Thanks Rich.
Grace Paine Terzian wrote: Sad news indeed. You could see that it was something of a physical ordeal for Eric to come to the reunion, but it was brave and very touching that he made this effort, that his classmates meant this much to him. A champion….
Peter W. Riley wrote: It’s never a good thing to see an email subject line like that, but it’s particularly sad with this news. Eric was a great guy with a great heart and he will be sorely missed. I am all the more sorry I missed the 45th knowing I could have said hi again. Hope all is well with you and yours and I share your sorrow at Eric’s passing.
Bob Fogarty wrote: So sad. Fun, great guy.
Billy Suda wrote: Loved Eric! Teased him about Wagner often. Thanked him for introducing me to Parliament Funkadelics and George Clinton.
Dan Entwisle wrote: So sorry to hear this. Thanks for the notice, Rich.
Class President Rich Levy reported that our classmate Eric L. Harris (known to many as “Sea Dog”) passed away on February 17 after a long illness. “One of my first Williams acquaintances (we were in Sage F as freshmen), Eric was also my law school classmate at Syracuse, a fellow New York-area attorney, a longtime Class of ‘74 associate agent, perpetual Eph friend and loyal Eph alum. Those of us who attended our 45th Reunion in June 2019 will appreciate even more that Eric (thanks to the vision of his partner Paola Sergi) made what turned out to be his last visit to the Purple Valley to spend time with classmates. He loved Williams and our Class.”
’74 Class President Rich Levy added: I was proud to attend the memorial get together for Eric last evening. Chuck Mitchell, Les Ellison and his wife, and Jeff Elliott also showed the ‘74 colors. Very special to share the occasion and commiserate with Eric’s partner Paola Sergi, Eric’s children, brothers, family and friends. Tears shed, but lots of smiles and laughs.
Among the Williams memories at the service, Wagner booming from Eric’s room in Sage at full blast across the Frosh Quad (part of Eric’s very eclectic musical interests), Poli. Sci. classes with Prof. Kurt Tauber, and Chuck & Les both remembering a fearless Eric starting a varsity football game at Weston Field with both shoulders dislocated.
There was a large poster at the front of the room last evening with a picture of Eric showing his nickname “Sea Dog”. I happened to ask Les if he knew how Eric became “Sea Dog”. Wouldn’t you know it – I asked the right guy: It was Les who bestowed it — during those first days at Williams in Sept. 1970, Eric sported a navy-style watch cap. (I seem to remember that, now, as Eric and I were Sage F entry mates). Les said he told Eric that it made him look just like the Cap’n Crunch’s Sea Dog. And the name stuck. From that moment forward, he was The Sea Dog.
Separately, retired faculty member Eva Grudin wrote to us: “To lose such a stellar human being as Eric must be especially devastating for his family. Eric is unforgettable, one of my finest and most winning students, even from decades and decades ago at Williams. I cherish his memory and remember for keeps his kindness, humor and intellectual curiosity. My great love and sympathy to your family.”
Here’s a link to a very special video tribute to Erik: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/TXW2GPB8LQSRFMJM