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Obituary:Richard H. Harkins |
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Richard H. Harkins
1920 - 2008
Richard H. Harkins 1920 - 2008 Richard Hugh Harkins passed away at the age of 87 at San Joaquin Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield, on August 16, 2008. Richard was born in Madera on December 29, 1920, the son of Helen Froom and Thomas Matthew Harkins. He graduated from Madera High School in 1939 where he was an outstanding football player. He attended Saint Mary's College in Moraga from 1939 - 1943 on a full athletic scholarship and played in the Sugar Bowl during the time when the Gaels fielded a nationally ranked team. Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served as a chief petty officer on Treasure Island in the Bay Area to train new recruits. Richard married Nancy Lee Noble in 1945, and embarked upon a long and distinguished teaching and coaching career in Bakersfield, first at Bakersfield High School, and then at Bakersfield College. Richard obtained his Doctorate in Education at UCLA and served as the Dean of the Evening Division at the Bakersfield College where he taught up until 2004. Dr. Harkins had a lifelong commitment to education and passed this passion on to many of his students over the years. Richard is predeceased by his brothers, Allen Harkins, a well known teacher and musician in Madera, and Thomas Harkins, a Marine who was killed during the Second World War. He is survived by his wife, Betty Harkins of Bakersfield; his daughter, Carol Fleming of Santa Fe, New Mexico; his sons, Richard Harkins of Alameda, Tommy Harkins of Lake Tahoe, and Edwin Harkins of Oxnard, CA; nephew, Nick Harkins of San Francisco; niece, Kris De Bora, of Detroit, MI. Richard has five grandchildren, Robin and Nicholas Harkins of Oxnard, and Patrick, Timothy, and Charles Harkins of Alameda. Private Graveside Services will be held under the direction of Jay Chapel of Madera will be in Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera. Remembrances may be made to The Bakersfield College Foundation, General Scholarships, 1801 Panorama Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93305. Condolence messages may be left at www.jaychapel.com. Jay Chapel (559) 674-8814
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