Harry R. Garvin grew up in New Orleans Louisiana, attended Tulane University where he got his Masters and then the University of Michigan for his PhD. After four years in the army during WWII as a Quartermaster in both the United States and occupied Germany, he married Lois Sharbach and come to Bucknell University in 1947 as a member of the Department of English. He brought new ideas to the campus such as the Colloquium Series that still continues today. From 1964-73 he was Chairman of the English Department and for many years the editor of the Bucknell Review, a scholarly journal. From 1959-1961 he lived with his family in Italy where he lectured on American Literature as a Fulbright Scholar.
His love of ideas and learning extended beyond literature to include history, the arts, culture and philosophy. He was a true Renaissance Man who imparted his love of learning to students at Bucknell University until his retirement in 1984 and afterwards as convener of a community-based seminar that lasted for over 25 years.
He was a family man who loved his "New Orleans family" of brother, sister-in-law and all his nieces, nephews and childhood friends. He was always supportive of his two daughters, Penn Garvin and Rachael Lynn Waters, in all their wild adventures. He was proud of his two grandchildren, Rachel and Ezra, and his six great-grandchildren.
His family and his community of friends will all miss him. There will be a gathering in his honor at a date to be announced at a later time.
To share in Harry's online memorial, please visit www.adamofh.com
Funeral arrangements are by Dominick T. Adamo Funerals · Cremations · Monuments, 16 Walnut Street, Mifflinburg.
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