Harry King McMillan

He was born on January 27, 1930, the youngest of three children born to Claude Richelieu McMillan and Mary Alice McMillan (nee King). He grew up in Columbia SC, attending Schneider Elementary School, Hand Middle School, and Dreher High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina where he also completed his Navy ROTC training, followed by three years of service in the US Navy during the Korean War.

Upon discharge from the Navy, Harry made a commitment to engineering education and enrolled in graduate work at North Carolina State University where he also served on the faculty. He completed his doctoral study in engineering at Purdue University and returned to the University of South Carolina as a professor in the College of Engineering, where he was affectionately referred to by some of his students as “High Priest of Thermodynamics”. Harry also believed in healthy exercise, with a lifelong commitment to running.

Upon retirement from a career of teaching mechanical engineering, Harry relocated to Lake Wateree where he had previously built a cabin utilizing the money he saved when he stopped smoking. While at Lake Wateree, he became engaged in community service and his beloved hobby of woodworking. One of the community projects Harry spearheaded as chair of the Wateree Homeowners’ Association WaterWatch Committee resulted in cooperation among many entities such as the University of South Carolina and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities to monitor, detect, and improve the quality of water in the Catawba River Basin. He undertook the difficult task of coordinating the establishment of 9-1-1 services in Fairfield County working with County officials, the United States Postal Services and several small telephone companies serving the county at that time. Each of these projects significantly impacted the quality of life in the county and garnered high recognition and awards from Harry’s various constituencies. He and Opal enjoyed travel inside and outside the United States, going on tours, cruises and trips.

Harry saw a natural beauty and artistry in the various woods, both exotic and common and enjoyed creating a wide range of objects of function and beauty in his wood working shop. He enjoyed receiving blue ribbons at the State Fair for his work but refused to sell anything though he gave many pieces to family and friends.

Harry is predeceased by his parents, his siblings, Claude R. McMillan, Jr and Mary Alice McMillan and his first wife, Marilyn Brown McMillan. He is survived by his second wife, Opal Brown, his three children, Harry K. McMillan, Jr., Margaret Mast Estabrooks (Dennis), and Amy M. Monroe (Michael), grandchildren Josh Mast (Brittany), Carter Mast (Brianna), Kevin Estabrooks (Jay), Lauren Monroe Powell (Matt) and Ben Monroe. He has 6 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Harry’s life will be held 2:00 pm Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Dunbar Funeral Home- Devine Street Chapel. A link to livestream of Harry's service can be found on his memorial page at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/columbia-sc/harry-mcmillan-11055808 or by selecting "Join LiveStream" under his service information on the Dunbar Funeral Home memorial page.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Harry’s engineering scholarship fund, the “Harry K McMillan Bicentennial Scholarship Fund” at the University of South Carolina, Office of Gift Processing, 1600 Hampton Street, Suite 736, Columbia, SC 29208 or https://donate.sc.edu/