IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Derek
Harrison
July 13, 1942 – October 29, 2025
Obituary
Derek Harrison, 83, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at his home in Tryon, NC.
Born to Eugene and Anne Harrison in Pittsburgh, PA, on July 13, 1942, he was raised in Richmond Beach, WA. He married Judith Comfort in 1965 and settled in Rochester, NY, to raise the family, enjoy a long career in college teaching, and retire. They have three children, Sabrina (Sarasota, FL), Trevor (Sarasota, FL), and Blake (Middlebury, VT), five granddaughters, Molly, Madeline, Samantha, Dahlia, and Ruby, and one great-granddaughter, Lilly.
Pursuing his passion for studying, he received his BA in English and Philosophy at Seattle University, an MA in English from the University of Washington, and an MA in Philosophy/Liberal Studies from SUNY Brockport and a PhD in Higher Education from SUNY Buffalo. He enlightened and inspired thousands of college students at Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY, for 36 years full-time, and in "retirement" at MCC, St John Fisher University, and Empire State College.
Having also an avid interest in travel and humanitarian work, he visited 65 countries and served the sick, homeless, incarcerated, and poor in places such as Haiti, Munich, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Colombia, and Mexico. His experiences and revelations are documented in his book Turning Times: Stories of People Who Serve. He wrote three other books used in college classrooms, and many articles for various publications.
In his off-hours, he worked with wood, creating carved trunks, oak furniture, inlaid tables, guitars, a dulcimer, a rebec, a mandolin, and a banjo. He moved to Tryon in 2017 with long-time partner, Becky Kraai and settled into a non-academic retirement, continuing his creativity in the house and the yard. He loved playing his banjo in Overmountain Old Time String Band and in a duo with Becky, Blue Wall. They led sing-alongs and performed at assisted-living homes, farmers' markets, Unitarian services, and other special events. He loved walking with friends in Tryon Trail Trotters and reading at the Lanier Library, where he recently served on the Board. He volunteered quietly at Tryon Arts and Crafts School, weeding and trimming while his health allowed.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Eugene. His other close family members are alive and healthy, carrying on his zest for life and generosity to others.
Friends are welcome to join his children, grandchildren and his local "family" at the Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon on Saturday, November 15, from 3:00-4:30 pm for Derek appreciation and remembrances. Derek would encourage donations of time or funds to any charity that serves the Underprivileged.
Born to Eugene and Anne Harrison in Pittsburgh, PA, on July 13, 1942, he was raised in Richmond Beach, WA. He married Judith Comfort in 1965 and settled in Rochester, NY, to raise the family, enjoy a long career in college teaching, and retire. They have three children, Sabrina (Sarasota, FL), Trevor (Sarasota, FL), and Blake (Middlebury, VT), five granddaughters, Molly, Madeline, Samantha, Dahlia, and Ruby, and one great-granddaughter, Lilly.
Pursuing his passion for studying, he received his BA in English and Philosophy at Seattle University, an MA in English from the University of Washington, and an MA in Philosophy/Liberal Studies from SUNY Brockport and a PhD in Higher Education from SUNY Buffalo. He enlightened and inspired thousands of college students at Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY, for 36 years full-time, and in "retirement" at MCC, St John Fisher University, and Empire State College.
Having also an avid interest in travel and humanitarian work, he visited 65 countries and served the sick, homeless, incarcerated, and poor in places such as Haiti, Munich, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Colombia, and Mexico. His experiences and revelations are documented in his book Turning Times: Stories of People Who Serve. He wrote three other books used in college classrooms, and many articles for various publications.
In his off-hours, he worked with wood, creating carved trunks, oak furniture, inlaid tables, guitars, a dulcimer, a rebec, a mandolin, and a banjo. He moved to Tryon in 2017 with long-time partner, Becky Kraai and settled into a non-academic retirement, continuing his creativity in the house and the yard. He loved playing his banjo in Overmountain Old Time String Band and in a duo with Becky, Blue Wall. They led sing-alongs and performed at assisted-living homes, farmers' markets, Unitarian services, and other special events. He loved walking with friends in Tryon Trail Trotters and reading at the Lanier Library, where he recently served on the Board. He volunteered quietly at Tryon Arts and Crafts School, weeding and trimming while his health allowed.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Eugene. His other close family members are alive and healthy, carrying on his zest for life and generosity to others.
Friends are welcome to join his children, grandchildren and his local "family" at the Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon on Saturday, November 15, from 3:00-4:30 pm for Derek appreciation and remembrances. Derek would encourage donations of time or funds to any charity that serves the Underprivileged.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Derek Harrison, please visit our flower store.
Derek Harrison's Guestbook
Visits: 10
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors