J. David Harris

November 1930 - May 2022

San Jose

Dave Harris, 91, died on May 13 at the home he shared with his beloved wife of 69 years, Rae Ann Matthias Harris. He was born in Neenah, Wisconsin, in November 1930, the son of William James Harris and Matilda Jane (Huettl) Harris.

Dave graduated from Ashland High School in 1949 where he was senior class president and a star athlete. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After the war, he returned to the University of Minnesota where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1956 and master’s degree in Industrial Relations in 1961.

Dave had an interesting and varied career in Human Resources and training that spanned Minnesota, Southern California and finally the Bay Area. He had a passion for training, education and developing people and taught at Mission/West Valley College until his retirement in 1986. He founded Human Resource Systems in 1980 in San Jose.

Dave and Rae loved adventure and international travel and were devoted to their large extended family.

Dave’s love of the outdoors included skiing (until age 72), whitewater rafting and kayaking, sailing, camping, and Scouting. Occasionally, his spirit of adventure exceeded the boundaries of safe judgement, but always resulted in good fun and a splendid story.

Dave and Rae were active in their church for 52 years, loved the members and served in a variety of leadership roles.

Dave is survived by his wife Rae, his four children, Tim (Georgia), Kerry (Stacey), Chris (Shoko) and Susan (Jay). They have eight grandchildren: Eric, Brittney, Ellen, Matthew, Jaime, Nick, Mitchell and Stevie, and seven greatgrandchildren: Avery, Emery, Jonah, Jayden, Harrison, Jacob, and Theodore.

He was the Harris Family patriarch and our role model.

His wit and wisdom are terribly missed by all.

A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, June 18th at 11:00 AM, at the Congregational Church of Almaden Valley.