Harry Hill Walsh passed away on Monday, February 19, 2018 in the arms of his family. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 on Thursday, March 8th in the Chapel of Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home. A reception and light lunch will follow.
Harry was born in Fort Worth, Texas on July 19, 1939. He was the 12th of 13 children born to Blount E. A. Walsh and Helen Hill Walsh. His siblings include Barbara Madge Walsh, Peggy Jane Bell, Frederick Neville Walsh, twins Robert & Richard Walsh, Mary McMillan Reaugh, James Blount Walsh, Helen Janice Cluck, twins Thomas H. Walsh & Franklin R. Walsh, Patrick Walsh and Margaret Elizabeth Walsh.
As a little boy Harry loved learning from the moment he walked in the door at George Clark Elementary School. His eyesight was so poor that he could barely see the blackboard. After receiving his first pair of glasses, however, he discovered the wonderful world of books. Reading became one of his greatest passions. He always said that he loved being in school so much that he decided to stay there for the rest of his life, eventually becoming a university professor.
At a young age Harry helped the paperboy fold and deliver the newspaper. He earned money in order to ride the bus downtown to go to the movies, another great joy of his. When he was nine, Harry got the highest number of new subscriptions to the Fort Worth Star Telegram on his route. The prize was a train trip with other paperboys to West Texas, an experience that forever opened his eyes to the wonders of travel.
After graduating from Paschal High School, Harry followed his twin brothers, Tom and Frank, to the University of Texas in Austin. They encouraged him to take a course in Russian History, which led to a fascination for all things Russian – its mellifluous language, intriguing history, and beautiful literature. He loved studying every aspect of Russia.
After receiving a B.A. in History in 1961 and an M.A. in Russian in 1963 from the University of Texas, he then joined the U.S. Army. After basic training, he was sent to Fort Holabird in Baltimore to become a specialist in military intelligence. With that training and his fluency in Russian, he hoped to be sent abroad, but he landed back in Texas at Fort Hood. He immediately began applying for transfers elsewhere and eventually was accepted to Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia.
In July of 1965 Harry met his future wife Sandra on a blind date set up by his sister Maggie. On their first date they saw “Camelot” at Casa Manana in Fort Worth. They began a courtship by letters which proved to be a wonderful way to get to know one another. After finishing Jump School, Harry joined the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As soon as he received leave, Harry drove back to Fort Worth where he and Sandra were married on October 2nd 1965, just three months after they met.
In 1966 after completing his military service, Harry attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied Linguistics. In order to complete his research for his dissertation topic, Harry applied for and received a grant to study at Leningrad State University in the U.S.S.R. It was an exciting time to be in the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. Harry and Sandra lived in a graduate student dormitory which housed students from Russia, Europe and ten Americans. Learning a new culture in such an intense environment led to friendships which have lasted a lifetime.
Harry and Sandra thoroughly enjoyed Leningrad’s many cultural delights which included the Kirov Ballet, the Hermitage, Russian palaces and numerous museums with exquisite collections. In April, they spent three weeks traveling with a group to several other republics of the Soviet Union -- Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine. Memories of the warmth and kindness of the Russian people remained a special part of that remarkable year.
Upon leaving Russia, Harry returned to the University of North Carolina to finish writing his dissertation. He received his Ph.D. in Linguistics in 1970. That same year he was asked to join the faculty at the University of Houston. Harry and Sandra soon welcomed their first child, Catherine Elizabeth. Just three years later their son, Thomas Fraser was born, completing their family.
During Harry’s tenure at the University of Houston, he taught all levels of Russian and created accelerated courses as well as interactive computer exercises to enhance his students’ learning. He loved Russian literature and taught everything from a Survey of Russian Literature to a one semester course on Doctor Zhivago. He also wrote extensively on Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. He taught courses in Russian history, drama, and linguistics and served as Chair of Russian Studies, an interdisciplinary degree program. He wrote scholarly articles, edited books, delivered lectures in the U.S. and other countries, and held positions of service to the University, including many years on the Faculty Senate. Several summers he received grants to study at the University of Michigan, the University of North Carolina, Harvard University, the University of Oregon, Indiana University, the University of Siegen in Germany and in Moscow.
Being an expert in Russian led to many interesting experiences. In July of 1975 Harry was asked by a local radio station to help cover the Apollo/Soyuz flight from NASA. It was the final flight of the Apollo program and the first collaborative effort between the U.S./Soviet space missions. This was an exciting interlude apart from his regular university duties.
Harry never lost sight of why he became a university professor. He was committed to his students, who he advised and encouraged. In turn, he was much respected by them. He was awarded the Top Prof Award of the Mortar Board from the National Honor Society and the Distinguished Teaching Award from the College of Humanities. Harry retired from the University of Houston in 2006. He was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus in 2013 which he considered a great honor and for which he was truly grateful.
Throughout his life Harry’s family was very important to him. He loved his children and was extremely proud of the adults they became. Catherine followed her father to the University of Houston, where she serves as the Coordinator of the Architecture and Art Library. He advised her on her academic path, which like her father’s, includes scholarly publishing and professional service. He was very proud of her achievements. They also shared a love of movies and literature, and never tired of discussing them, especially the classics.
Before Tom went to college, he told his dad that he wanted to become an artist. Not only did Harry encourage Tom, but he supported him in his decision, advising him to “Do what you love, and you’ll have a happy life.” Harry loved Tom’s paintings and felt such pride when he attended various shows featuring Tom’s art, especially his first one man show in Houston in 2016. He was impressed by Tom’s knowledge of art and always enjoyed the informal tours his son gave him while working at the Menil. Tom often says that the greatest gift his father taught him by example was his openness to everyone and his lack of prejudice.
Harry welcomed into the family Catherine’s husband Karl and Tom’s wife Allie who he married in June of last year. Harry delighted in Catherine and Karl’s twins, Malcolm and Nora, and would have been so pleased about the arrival of Tom and Allie’s baby, expected in late March.
Harry was a gentleman and a scholar. Everyone who knew him marveled at his exceptional memory and his sparkling sense of humor. He was quite an entertaining raconteur. Harry treated everyone with respect and kindness. He was proud to support progressive political causes. When he first retired, Harry enjoyed taking Elderhostel trips with Sandra and close friends to several of the National Parks.
Approximately 10 years ago Harry developed dementia which was eventually diagnosed as Alzheimer’s. Upon hearing his diagnosis Harry said that he had already lived a long, wonderful life. For 17 months Harry attended Amazing Place where he enjoyed the fellowship and activities offered there. Most mornings when he arrived, he was greeted by a wonderful volunteer who sang, “I’m just wild about Harry” so as to lessen his anxiety. His face would immediately light up, as they went off together to join the other participants. His life was greatly enhanced by his care at the “happy place” as he often called it. His family did their best to make every day a good day for Harry whose sweetness continued, despite his disease.
After two hospitalizations last summer, Harry entered St. Dominic Village where he took joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially listening to music or sitting outside in the peacefulness of their lovely grounds. He was cared for with respect and great kindness. Harry was a gentle man who seemed to be at peace with himself. His family is grateful for his presence in their lives. He will be missed.
Harry is lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years Sandra, his daughter Catherine Essinger and her husband Karl; his son Thomas Walsh and his wife Allie Nikolaisen; and his grandchildren Malcolm and Nora Essinger. He is also survived by his remaining siblings Jim Walsh and Margaret Walsh, numerous nieces and nephews and many very special friends from all over the world.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Amazing Place, 3735 Drexel, Houston, TX 77027 or St. Dominic Village, 2401 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77021, both of which took great care to ensure Harry’s final years and months were happy and comfortable ones.
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