Dr. Hal Harris

Dr. Hal Harris passed away Monday, September 8, 2014 at Kavanagh House Hospice on 56th St in Des Moines, after a 4 year struggle with Leukemia. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Des Moines. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 12 at Caldwell Raddatz Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale. Burial will be at a later day in the Park River Cemetery in Park River, ND. Hal was born in Grafton, ND, on October 8, 1944 to Edith and Harold Harris. He graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River, ND. Hal attended Jamestown College, Jamestown ND, and continued his education in the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa. After graduation, he served with the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Hal practiced general dentistry in several locations over a 35 year career. After retirement from the active practice of dentistry, he taught in the Dental Assistant program at DMACC and was an Adjunct Professor for the University of Iowa at Broadlawns mentoring senior dental students. In recent years he has taught an Expanded Functions course in continuing education to dental assistants. Hal loved the outdoors and was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed playing pool, golf and any type of ball. He enjoyed the Civic Center Broadway performances and the Des Moines Playhouse productions. He was an Elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church, past president and current Clive Lions Club member and a member of the American Legion. Hal is survived by his wife, Lyn (Lynda Montague) of 51 years; children, Leslie (Jeff) McCann of Columbia, MO, Jeff (Kirsten) of Washington, DC and Doug (Jawna) of Cumming, IA. Hal and Lyn loved spending time with their 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson: Andy, Alex, Kelly and Emma Harris, Erin and Dillon McCann, Paige, Ryley and DJ Harris and Kai Vasey. Hal is also survived by one sister, Ann Schmitz of Fargo, ND; two nephews and a niece. Hal was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Denise Harris and a granddaughter Tara McCann. The family wishes to thank Dr. Magday Elsawy and his entire staff as well as the staff at the Mercy Infusion Center and Mercy 8-South nurses and staff for their love and caring during Hals course of treatment. We would also like to thank co-workers, friends and DMOS staff for all their kindness and support over the past few years. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to be made to the Covenant Presbyterian Church or the Clive Lions Club.