Britbike forum Forums Remembrance Britbike remembrance forum Dick Harris has passed R.I.P.

I got a message from Dicks' wife Barb that she wanted me to pass on to the Britbike group....

"Dick died on Jan 30, this past Sunday. Would you post this on the Forum to let all know. He was 88 yrs old. In Aug of 2021 had a brain tumor successfully removed and was recovering well. On Dec 27th he suffered a massive stroke leaving him with no ability to function thru his whole body. He peacefully went home with his Lord at 4:14pm on Sunday.
There will be a "CELABRATION OF HIS LIFE" on March 12, Saturday, in Warsaw, NY. I will ask you to further post the details closer to that date.

Life goes on, but will never be the same as I walk the rest of my days without him, the love of my life."



I saw his son at the Triumph rally in Oley this past summer and he said Dick was well and riding his motorcycle locally... Sounds like he was able to do what he loved right up to near the end... RIP Dick Harris . It was a pleasure to know you all these years and to have shared so many memories . God Speed !!

Dick was a good man, a pleasure to ride, rally, and talk with for the 25 years that I knew him. A good role model for us all.

Lannis

Dick, glad to have met you, see you in the future....

Another one of my hero's gone. He was a good man and an amazing engineer. I have some fond memories of that man.

RIP Mr Harris.......you were one of the good guys.

Gordon Gray

I only knew Dick from this forum, and he always seemed a right fellow.

Great to hear that he was enjoying BritBikes right up to the end, and at a ripe old age. I'd be OK with 88...

Condolences to his wife and close friends, keep him alive by telling the stories!

I met Dick one time when he attended a One State Ride. He was a pleasure to talk to and ride with and accomplished at a great many things. We talked about everything from hand built black powder rifles to flying and he certainly knew his stuff. To watch him ride (he must have been in his early 80s then) gave me hope that I can still enjoy the life we all love for as long as possible.
Rip Mr Harris.

Funny how things work out. A couple weeks back I was standing in my shop and noticed some brake linings I had on the shelf. A LOT of them were gifted to me by Mr Harris. I offered some of the ones I wasn't going to use up as gifts and a couple of you took me up on it.

I wasn't working on brakes and have no clue why I thought about them..........Mr Harris had already had his stroke and I had no clue.

Makes a man wonder if we all aren't connected in some way we're not aware of.

Pulled up some photos this morning of rifles Mr Harris made.........from scratch.......amazing workmanship, true works of art.

I had the honor (Thank you Mike G) of attending an event with Mr Harris and was able to follow him through most of the ride. He rode like a teenager. By the end of the 200 mile day most of us were squirming around on our seats.....not Mr Harris....still rock solid. That was an honor I'll never forget.

Truly one of the good guys.

Gordon

Sad News for sure.

I first met Dick at Tim K's Hill get-together. Always friendly and courteous, as well as knowledgeable. A gentleman.

He was a hard-assed rider, for sure. He and his son rode to Colorado from the east coast a few years back, he was in his 70s, and he was on his 270-degree-crankshaft Triumph twin that he built. That's usually a young man's game, but Dick was young his whole life ....

Lannis

Met him the first time at the Triumph Come Home rally when it was held at the White Rose Motorcycle Club in southern PA back in '06. or '07. Would see him yearly at that event for many years. He was always generous with his time and knowledge with motorcycles, and always had an interesting adventure or tale to tell. He let me take his his beloved TR6 for a ride. Smoothest, softest Triumph clutch I've ever experienced.

RIP Rooster #2.

Steve

Dick with his 1970 in the 1970's


2009 - Dick and his 1957 TR6/A

I got to meet him when he came to Coudersport for the OSMR. He told me all about HOW he made the 270 degree crank.
Thanks for sharing. Godspeed, fellow gearhead.

Godspeed Mr. Harris. You were a true gentleman Dick.

Condolences to his family and friends

It is with great sadness we hear that Dick Harris passed.
Our deep condolences goes to his family.
His account here has now been converted to Remembrance status.

I never got to meet Dick in person but we corresponded here and there over the years, mainly about Triumph Pre-Unit stuff. He was also very generous with some parts that he sent to me for free. I always thought he was a true gentleman and a man to look up to. May you Rest in Peace Dick and thank you for being a part of my life, even if only from afar.

RIP Dick. I remember the time when Dick rescued me at the OVBSAOC Ralley. I got lost on a group ride and he made sure I got back to the camp safe and sound. True gentleman. God speed

Rest in Peace, Dick. I'll never forget the sound of that 270 crank as "Mr. Triumph" took off for home from the Euro Bike Ride In in Oswego. He will be missed.

WHEN: March 12, Saturday
WHERE: Robinson and Hackemer Funeral Home
246 North Main St.
Warsaw, NY

CALLING HOURS: 1PM to 3 PM
SERVICE Begins at 3 PM

LUNCHEON FOLLOWING AT: Valley Chapel Methodist Church
3415 State Route 19S
Warsaw, NY

RSVP FOR LUNCHEON:
BARB HARRIS
[email protected]
or 585-343-4255

Thanks, Wade.

Steve

Quite the snow storm on the way up.... A total white out on the way back... A fantastic service with about 45 + in attendance. The eulogies were real tear jerkers with my favorite being a reading of something Dick wrote in 1985 about being on a motorcycle and missing his riding buddy that had just passed away--- that really got to me.... His bike was there and the hymns were accompanied by a guitar and fiddle.... After the service at the funeral parlour we all went to a church on the other side of town. There we ate and chatted. I met some of Dick's local motorcycle friends including the machinist who help Dick convert the Triumph crank to 76 degrees . Seen in photo below.... Gerry went with me and was glad she did since everyone she met was so nice and welcoming. If they werent 6 hours away we may have made some new friends.... Well maybe we will see them again... And raise a glass for Dick

Wade -

Thanks for being there.

Lannis

Thanks for sharing Wade, I hated to miss it but had my grandsons’ wedding to attend on the 12th.

Grandson's wedding !! Congratulations !!!! a good reason to miss it ....

It was a hellish drive in a crazy storm . 7 hours one way with my wife backseat driving and pointing out every accident as if I couldnt see the big tractor trailer flipped upside down or any other of the 15 plus accidents... I could have gotten there faster without all that nonsense
All kidding aside....
Lucky we had planned to stop halfway on the way home , in the Catskills, to stay at a friends house to break up the trip. That only took 5 hours to get there.. Should have been 3 hours ... Still it was worth it and I am sure everyone would have been appreciated .... The remainder of the journey home on the Sunday was more pleasant with dry roads covered in a heavy dusting of salt. All in all it was all worthwhile and even my wife was happy she went ....