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Pratt Professor Emeritus Harry Owen Dies

Electrical engineering faculty member was 91

Pratt School of Engineering Professor Emeritus Harry Ashton Owen Jr. passed away on January 5 at the age of 91.

He was a resident at the Forest at Duke Retirement Community in Durham, NC, where he and his wife Phyllis have lived since 1992.

From his earliest years Dr. Owen's love was electronics. This interest eventually found full expression when he served as a U.S. Navy radar instructor during W.W.II.

He went on to receive degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida and a doctorate from N.C. State University.

In 1951 he and Phyllis moved to Durham where he began a forty year career of teaching and research in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Duke University.

Sabbaticals away from Duke found Dr. Owen working for both NASA and the European Space Agency.

His mentorship of many Asian graduate students produced a fondness for Chinese culture and Harry became quite adept in preparing Chinese cuisine.

He and Phyllis also traveled together to Asia, Africa, South America and Europe.

Harry served Epworth United Methodist Church in Durham in many capacities ranging from Sunday School teacher to the church's administrative board.

Harry was an avid photographer and often was called upon to record local events for his family and community.

Harry was also known for his love of fishing, often seeking refuge to lakes around Durham and to the coast of North Carolina. But it was at his family retreat at Cherokee Sound on the Bahamian Island of Abaco that Harry spent his most prized moments of fishing and contemplation.

While in retirement at the Forest at Duke, he served on the Board of Directors of the Residents' Association, as chair of the Safety and Security Committee, and as a member of two long-range planning committees.

Surviving Dr. Owen are his wife Phyllis, sisters Emily and Carolyn and brother Mitchell, daughter Marcia and son David, grandchildren Melody, Saliima, Yasmiin, Linus, and Thomas and great grandchildren Owen, Hudson, and Sienna.

A memorial service will be held on January 6 at 2 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund, Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Road, Durham, NC 27707.