Ronald V. Harris

Ronald V. Harris, Lt. Col., US Army Ret., age 98, died September 25, 2024 in OSF St. Anthony Hospital, Rockford, IL. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa on February 14, 1926 to parents Chester and Lauretta Harris. On August 25, 1947 he married Elizabeth J. Conover in Rockford. They had three children, five grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. 

Numerous times we asked Dad to share dates and battles and medals from his career in the military. As a person who said, “if” and not “when” regarding death, he never did share. While very proud of his service, short of stories of cocktail parties, Army priests, and bivouacs, he didn’t tell us much. He convinced his father to sign a paper allowing him to join young and entered the Navy during WW2. In his later years, he conceded that it probably wasn’t a good idea. He served in the Pacific attached to the Marines serving on the Underwater Demolition Team. After the war, he returned to Rockford and finished high school. It was then that he met Liz and married. Then, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Korea.  Later, he attended OCS, Officers Candidate School. Ron was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars for valor, and two Purple Hearts. One story of a Purple Heart may just be the version for us, as it included two cases of beer and the back of a jeep. After retirement, he was called back to duty during the Vietnam era. Again, we don’t really know too much about that. But, afterwards, he was promoted to Lt. Colonel. He, famously, initially retired because he ticked off the person in charge of promotions and so was not promoted and retired a major.

After retirement, Dad and Mom came back to Rockford, a choice Mom was not too happy about - Ronald! With the whole country to choose from…! He was a “beg forgiveness” kind of guy, even though he really never did. Dad joined Sundstrand Corporation in the Human Resources department and worked there in several capacities until retiring again. He maintained many friendships from both the military and his time at Sundstrand. He enjoyed fishing trips, his home in the woods, the stock market, going to Texas in the winter, and giving political cocktail parties for his candidates of choice. 

Because he felt his most important job was providing for his family, as a father, he was often absent with work duties. In these last years, witnessing the younger men in his family parenting, he regretted not being that kind of dad. He admired them. Dad enjoyed being Popo to his five grandchildren and was especially pleased with being a great-grandfather. I think he was a bit stunned by the number of them, but kept them all straight and cared deeply about their futures. His time at CherryVale Place opened his eyes to a world he was unfamiliar with on a personal level. He was not too happy needing people, but in so doing, he became socially conscious and more caring than ever before. His health only really diminished in his last year and he remained independent and proud of it until his last week. He regretted not finishing his martini before going to the hospital. 

A devout Catholic, Ron attended St. Edward’s Church while in his home and continued to receive Communion at CherryVale Place. 

Ron is survived by Deborah (Louis) Sassali, Dorien (Bob) Peterson; grandchildren, Nicolas (Luisa Orrico) Sassali, Anthony (Krisinda Doherty) Sassali, Timothy (Rachel) Peterson, Theodore Peterson, Channing (Carl) Holsinger; great-grandchildren, Nico, Alex, Valentina, Giuliana, Joey Sassali, and Marcus and Gioia Sassali, Fae and Ember Peterson, Emmett and Wendy Peterson, and Berkeley and Taliesin Priehs and Armer Holsinger; step-great-grandchildren, Josh Flores and Zane Peterson, Katharine and Sophia Holsinger. Ron was predeceased by wife, Elizabeth; son, Dirk R.V. Harris; and son-in-law, Louis Sassali.

Services will be private.

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