In memory of Bob Harrison, 1931-2009

To my loyal readers: I have had to fly from London to the US to be with my husband and his family following the death of my dear father-in-law.

I am posting this in remembrance of Robert J. Harrison, whom I knew for two years as "Bob", two as "Dad", and twenty-one as "Grandad".

He was born in St. Charles, Missouri on June 21, 1931. He grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1957, after serving in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He lived in Manchester, New Hampshire for over 50 years with his wife Monique (Gilbert) Harrison, to whom he was married for 54 years.

He retired in 1988 as Chief Executive Officer of Public Service Company of New Hampshire, the state's largest electrical utility. Previous to that he had served PSNH as assistant to the president, vice president, treasurer, financial vice president, and, penultimately, as Chief Operating Officer and President.

Bob served as member of the board of directors for PSHN, Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp and Yankee Atomic Electric Company. He also served as a director of Numerica Financial Corp, Numerica Savings Bank, American Heart Association, Easter Seals Foundation of New Hampshire and Vermont, and Federated Art of Manchester, as well as the United Way of Greater Manchester.

He was a communicant at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church in Manchester, NH.

In addition to his wife Monique, he leaves his four children, David Harrison and his wife Marjorie of London, England; Gregory Harrison and his wife Kathleen of Okemos, Michigan; Elizabeth Cutliffe and her husband Laurence of Bedford, New Hampshire; and Thomas Harrison and his wife Christen of Andover, Massachusetts, as well as six grandchildren, Douglas and Elizabeth Harrison, William and Noel Harrison, and Jessica and Jennifer Cutliffe, as well as many dear friends.

I will remember "Grandad" as a loving patriarch who was devoted to his family and who was beloved by all. He had a quick wit and an exquisite sense of comedic timing. Many family occasions were punctuated by the laughter and banter of all present. He developed a love of travel during his business years, and especially enjoyed travelling with his wife Monique then, and during his two decades of retirement.

The family spent many happy summer days with Grandad and Nana at their second home in Rye Beach, New Hampshire. Beach outings, family dinners, visits with cousins and out-of-town relatives and friends were a big part of these happy days. When his oldest grandchild was working at a summer camp in New Hampshire, he would sometimes arrive with a group of young adults who were all enjoying their day off by travelling to the beach. Grandad was always there to welcome the crowd and engage them in lively banter.

A quick study on any topic, his statistical training and memory for detail came into play when he memorized the probability table for a 5-deck Blackjack shoe, enabling him to beat the house on a regular basis. This resulted in a level of profits that more than paid for his visits to casinos in Las Vegas and Foxwoods, Connecticut with his wife and friends.

Although he had many professional achievements during his many years in business, in my opinion his Lifetime Achievement Award would be granted in the category of Loving Family Man. His wife, children, children-in-law, and grandchildren would testify that the blessings of love that they received from him will be carried forward into the generations. We love you, Grandad. Thanks for all the love and wonderful memories.