Herbert Harris

On that Sunday night, June 9, Herb succumbed to the illnesses that he had been plagued with over the last few years.

Herb is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Wendy (Marcos), son Mark (Patricia), brother Jay (Sara), five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren (plus one more on the way soon).

Sadly experienced the death of stepson Billy in 2007.

Herb and Betty traveled extensively all over the world and USA throughout their 41 years of marriage.

He loved the organizations he had been active with over the years and more recently his volunteer jobs.

He had a very rich, fulfilling life!

Herb wrote the story of his life a few months ago and you will know it's his story, by him, a civil engineer through and through:

Herbert Llewellyn Harris, Jr.

Date of Birth: 9/6/39, Kansas City Kansas Herbert L. Harris/Louise M. Gutting Harris

Moved to New Mexico at 3 years of age.

Attended all years of school 1-12 in Las Vegas, NM

Graduated from Las Vegas High School (Robertson) in 1957.

In Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts and attended several summer camps at Philmont Scout Ranch and attended an International Boy Scouts Jamboree in Irvine, California in 1953.

Played trumpet in HS Band.

Went to NM State College of A & M A in 1957.

Graduated 1963 with BS in Civil Engineering.

Worked for AT&SF Railroad as a brakeman between Las Vegas and Albuquerque during school holidays and summers.

Joined US Army Reserve in 1963. Basic Training Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Active Duty for 6 months. Served in U.S. Army Reserve as a Captain until 1982.

1964 Went to work for the US Forest Service in Holbrook, Arizona on the Sitgreaves National Forest.as a Civil Engineer.

Married Susan Dewey 1965 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

1967 moved to Taos, NM, Carson National Forest. Served as Facilities and Road Maintenance Engineer., ski area inspector at Taos Ski Valley and Red River Ski Area.

1968 Gwendolyn Sue Harris born in Taos, NM.

1970 Mark, Llewellyn Harris born in Taos, NM

Joined Bent Lodge #42, Masonic Blue Lodge, becoming the Master of the lodge. Joined Scottish Right in Santa Fe in 2002 and Shriners in Albuquerque in 2006.

Joined Rotary Club, became President of Taos, Rotary Club. Hosted Foreign exchange student from Mexico for a year

Divorced in 1979

Transferred to Santa Fe National Forest as Facilities and Construction Engineer in 1979.

Active in Santa Fe Rotary Club, Treasurer for many years. Created and printed Rotary Bulletin along with Abe Silver. Later joined thr Rotary Club of Santa Fe Del Sur and am still a member.

Served on Sangre de Cristo Girl Scout Council Board of Directors from 1979 until 1997.

Married Betty Jean Gerk Reeves Sept. 23, 1983. in Santa Fe.

Retired from U.S. Forest service in Santa Fe in June 1994 with 31 total years of service.

Worked as a driver/gopher at Bishop's Lodge for about 5 months in 1995.

Was appointed to the City Public Safety Committee in 1998 and served as vice-chairman until 2022.

Along with wife, Betty, became an auxilian at St. Vincent Hospital gift shop in 2005. Still at Christus St. Vincent Hospital as a volunteer working the front desk once a week. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday June 26, 2024, at 1:00PM at St. Johns Methodist Church Located at 1200 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe NM 87505.