Richard Harris, of Boulder, CO, born September 2, 1936, passed away on May 8, 2026 at the age of 89. He was born in Highsplint, KY. As a member of the Boy Scouts, he enjoyed camping and hiking in the surrounding mountains with his dog as a constant companion. The saxophone was his instrument of choice as he marched in the high school band. He was so gifted in mathematics that he was the only person in the advanced math class created just for him at Evarts High School in 1954.

Cumberland College was the starting point for his academic career. He worked his way through college painting houses. At Cumberland he was the president of the first jazz club, where he continued to play his saxophone. He even wooed his future wife by serenading her outside her dorm window.

After receiving his associate's degree at Cumberland, he completed his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the University of Kentucky and went on to work on the guidance system in the Redstone rocket as the space race began. The system was utilized in the Project Mercury first manned space program.

Richard was also one of the first engineers to learn transistor technology as it was developing. He took that knowledge to International Business Machines in Lexington, KY in 1960. He would go on to have a thirty-two-year career there. During this time he completed his Masters of Science degree in electrical engineering at the University of KY. In 1974 he moved to the IBM Boulder, CO site with 400 other employees. At age 37 he was the manager of over 100 employees in printer and copier test laboratory. During his tenure as test manager, he traveled the world, visiting other IBM lab sites in West Berlin, Paris, and Mexico City.

Richard completed two additional Masters of Science degrees while managing at IBM. He earned an MBA from Colorado State University and a Masters of Science in telecommunications at the CU Boulder School of Engineering.

As a father, Richard set an example of the value of education and hard work, helping with homework as needed. He enjoyed family vacations, keeping in touch with his extended family, and holidays.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Irene Stephens Harris, his children, Jeanne Harris and Douglas Harris, one grandchild, Sela, and two great-grandchildren, Luna and Blaise.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the University of the Cumberlands in memory of Richard Harrris at 606-539-4601 or https://www.ucumberlands.edu/alumni/support-cumberlands/give.

Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Richard Harris.