Fred Harris, Ski Pioneer, Dies at 73
Dean of Sport In U.S.; Founder Of Outing Clubs Fred H. Harris of 7 North Street. nationally known as "Mr. Ski." died unexpectedly early today in Memorial Hospital. He was 73. The "dean of American skiing," founder of the Dartmouth Outing Club and member of the National Ski Hall of Fame, was admitted to the hospital May 23. Recipient of many honors for his devotion to skiing for amateurs, Mr. Harris received the title of "dean" from the New England Council in 1935. Co-founder of the U S. Eastern Amateur Ski Association and its president for a number of years. he started his lifelong promotion of skiing as a student at Dartmouth college, from which he graduated in 1911. He was also a former vice-president and treasurer of the National Ski Association; had served as United States representative to F I.S. (Federation Internationale de Ski) and was an official at the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid in 1932 and again at Squaw Valley in 1960.
Published Book
Widely recognized as having done more than any single individual to make the United States ski conscious, Mr. Harris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1957. His book, "Dartmouth Out O'Doors," published in 1913, is believed to have been the first book in America giving instructions on skiing. He was founder of the Brattle-boro Outing Club and had been made a life member for his years of service to the organization. He designed the club's jump, named Harris Hill in his honor, and had also designed many other ski hills. His pioneering spirit is illustrated in the manner in which he elicited interest in skiing as a sport at Dartmouth. A lone ski runner at Hanover, he was elected first president of the college Outing Club, formed in 1910 by 50 students, and now recognized as one of the leading organizations of its kind. The first ski jumping contest at Dartmouth was held that winter on a jump which Mr. Harris built. The next year he built a larger jump for the first of the now famed winter carnivals there. As an alumnus he built a third and larger hill for Dartmouth in 1915. Thirty-six years later the Dartmouth club dedicated a new cabin in his honor.
Skied Mountains
The club founder's skis had been the first to reach the summit of Mount Washington, highest peak in the East, when he headed a party of three in 1913. He was also the first ever to climb Mount Whiteface on skis and one of the first to make the ascent of Mount Marcy, both accomplished in 1920. Born in Brattleboro Sept. 8, 1887, he was the son of Charles A. Harris, a local banker, and Elizabeth J.(Morris) Harris. He graduated from Brattleboro High School In 1906. After graduating from Dartmouth he worked until 1916 for the banking house of Baker. Young & Co., Boston. Entering military service that year, he was one of seven men out of 157 in Co. F, 10th Regiment, at Plattsburgh, N.Y., to qualify as a rifle expert. He later served with the First Battery, Field Artillery, and concluded his nine months' war service in the Navy Air Corp. His interest in flying led after the war to his election as president of the Vermont Aero Club. An expert tennis player. Mr. Harris won the New England intercollegiate championship three times, was all-New England championship four times and captured about 30 state championships. At one time he ranked 14th among United States players. Among his other varied interests were hunting and fishing. He had shot moose in the Gaspe peninsula and smaller game in many sections of North America. An ardent sailboat racer, he won the New England Lightning Class Championship at Lake Spofford, N.H., in 1956. The previous year he was New Hampshire and Maine champion. He was one of the originators of the lightning fleet in 1946 and was commodore of the Lake Spofford Yacht Club from 1947-1950. He also was one of the organizers of the present club. Formerly an investment broker, Mr. Harris had engaged in real estate development since his purchase or the former Richards M. Bradley Estate in 1945. Besides organizations not mentioned above, he was a member of Chi Phi fraternity; Columbian Lodge of Masons; Brattleboro Post, American Legion, of which he formerly was vice-commander; Brattleboro Lodge of Elks, and the Kiwanis Club. The initiator of Brattleboro's Winter Carnivals, Mr. Harris served as president of the 1961 event, On Feb. 25, 1950 Mr. Harris married the former Helen Choate, who survives with one daughter, Sandra. Funeral services will be held in All Souls Church Sunday at 2 p.m. Rev. Fred H. Miller will officiate. Burial will take place in Morningside Cemetery.
Dean of Sport In U.S.; Founder Of Outing Clubs Fred H. Harris of 7 North Street. nationally known as "Mr. Ski." died unexpectedly early today in Memorial Hospital. He was 73. The "dean of American skiing," founder of the Dartmouth Outing Club and member of the National Ski Hall of Fame, was admitted to the hospital May 23. Recipient of many honors for his devotion to skiing for amateurs, Mr. Harris received the title of "dean" from the New England Council in 1935. Co-founder of the U S. Eastern Amateur Ski Association and its president for a number of years. he started his lifelong promotion of skiing as a student at Dartmouth college, from which he graduated in 1911. He was also a former vice-president and treasurer of the National Ski Association; had served as United States representative to F I.S. (Federation Internationale de Ski) and was an official at the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid in 1932 and again at Squaw Valley in 1960.
Published Book
Widely recognized as having done more than any single individual to make the United States ski conscious, Mr. Harris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1957. His book, "Dartmouth Out O'Doors," published in 1913, is believed to have been the first book in America giving instructions on skiing. He was founder of the Brattle-boro Outing Club and had been made a life member for his years of service to the organization. He designed the club's jump, named Harris Hill in his honor, and had also designed many other ski hills. His pioneering spirit is illustrated in the manner in which he elicited interest in skiing as a sport at Dartmouth. A lone ski runner at Hanover, he was elected first president of the college Outing Club, formed in 1910 by 50 students, and now recognized as one of the leading organizations of its kind. The first ski jumping contest at Dartmouth was held that winter on a jump which Mr. Harris built. The next year he built a larger jump for the first of the now famed winter carnivals there. As an alumnus he built a third and larger hill for Dartmouth in 1915. Thirty-six years later the Dartmouth club dedicated a new cabin in his honor.
Skied Mountains
The club founder's skis had been the first to reach the summit of Mount Washington, highest peak in the East, when he headed a party of three in 1913. He was also the first ever to climb Mount Whiteface on skis and one of the first to make the ascent of Mount Marcy, both accomplished in 1920. Born in Brattleboro Sept. 8, 1887, he was the son of Charles A. Harris, a local banker, and Elizabeth J.(Morris) Harris. He graduated from Brattleboro High School In 1906. After graduating from Dartmouth he worked until 1916 for the banking house of Baker. Young & Co., Boston. Entering military service that year, he was one of seven men out of 157 in Co. F, 10th Regiment, at Plattsburgh, N.Y., to qualify as a rifle expert. He later served with the First Battery, Field Artillery, and concluded his nine months' war service in the Navy Air Corp. His interest in flying led after the war to his election as president of the Vermont Aero Club. An expert tennis player. Mr. Harris won the New England intercollegiate championship three times, was all-New England championship four times and captured about 30 state championships. At one time he ranked 14th among United States players. Among his other varied interests were hunting and fishing. He had shot moose in the Gaspe peninsula and smaller game in many sections of North America. An ardent sailboat racer, he won the New England Lightning Class Championship at Lake Spofford, N.H., in 1956. The previous year he was New Hampshire and Maine champion. He was one of the originators of the lightning fleet in 1946 and was commodore of the Lake Spofford Yacht Club from 1947-1950. He also was one of the organizers of the present club. Formerly an investment broker, Mr. Harris had engaged in real estate development since his purchase or the former Richards M. Bradley Estate in 1945. Besides organizations not mentioned above, he was a member of Chi Phi fraternity; Columbian Lodge of Masons; Brattleboro Post, American Legion, of which he formerly was vice-commander; Brattleboro Lodge of Elks, and the Kiwanis Club. The initiator of Brattleboro's Winter Carnivals, Mr. Harris served as president of the 1961 event, On Feb. 25, 1950 Mr. Harris married the former Helen Choate, who survives with one daughter, Sandra. Funeral services will be held in All Souls Church Sunday at 2 p.m. Rev. Fred H. Miller will officiate. Burial will take place in Morningside Cemetery.
Fred Harris, Ski Pioneer, Dies at 73
Dean of Sport In U.S.; Founder Of Outing Clubs Fred H. Harris of 7 North Street. nationally known as "Mr. Ski." died unexpectedly early today in Memorial Hospital. He was 73. The "dean of American skiing," founder of the Dartmouth Outing Club and member of the National Ski Hall of Fame, was admitted to the hospital May 23. Recipient of many honors for his devotion to skiing for amateurs, Mr. Harris received the title of "dean" from the New England Council in 1935. Co-founder of the U S. Eastern Amateur Ski Association and its president for a number of years. he started his lifelong promotion of skiing as a student at Dartmouth college, from which he graduated in 1911. He was also a former vice-president and treasurer of the National Ski Association; had served as United States representative to F I.S. (Federation Internationale de Ski) and was an official at the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid in 1932 and again at Squaw Valley in 1960.
Published Book
Widely recognized as having done more than any single individual to make the United States ski conscious, Mr. Harris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1957. His book, "Dartmouth Out O'Doors," published in 1913, is believed to have been the first book in America giving instructions on skiing. He was founder of the Brattle-boro Outing Club and had been made a life member for his years of service to the organization. He designed the club's jump, named Harris Hill in his honor, and had also designed many other ski hills. His pioneering spirit is illustrated in the manner in which he elicited interest in skiing as a sport at Dartmouth. A lone ski runner at Hanover, he was elected first president of the college Outing Club, formed in 1910 by 50 students, and now recognized as one of the leading organizations of its kind. The first ski jumping contest at Dartmouth was held that winter on a jump which Mr. Harris built. The next year he built a larger jump for the first of the now famed winter carnivals there. As an alumnus he built a third and larger hill for Dartmouth in 1915. Thirty-six years later the Dartmouth club dedicated a new cabin in his honor.
Skied Mountains
The club founder's skis had been the first to reach the summit of Mount Washington, highest peak in the East, when he headed a party of three in 1913. He was also the first ever to climb Mount Whiteface on skis and one of the first to make the ascent of Mount Marcy, both accomplished in 1920. Born in Brattleboro Sept. 8, 1887, he was the son of Charles A. Harris, a local banker, and Elizabeth J.(Morris) Harris. He graduated from Brattleboro High School In 1906. After graduating from Dartmouth he worked until 1916 for the banking house of Baker. Young & Co., Boston. Entering military service that year, he was one of seven men out of 157 in Co. F, 10th Regiment, at Plattsburgh, N.Y., to qualify as a rifle expert. He later served with the First Battery, Field Artillery, and concluded his nine months' war service in the Navy Air Corp. His interest in flying led after the war to his election as president of the Vermont Aero Club. An expert tennis player. Mr. Harris won the New England intercollegiate championship three times, was all-New England championship four times and captured about 30 state championships. At one time he ranked 14th among United States players. Among his other varied interests were hunting and fishing. He had shot moose in the Gaspe peninsula and smaller game in many sections of North America. An ardent sailboat racer, he won the New England Lightning Class Championship at Lake Spofford, N.H., in 1956. The previous year he was New Hampshire and Maine champion. He was one of the originators of the lightning fleet in 1946 and was commodore of the Lake Spofford Yacht Club from 1947-1950. He also was one of the organizers of the present club. Formerly an investment broker, Mr. Harris had engaged in real estate development since his purchase or the former Richards M. Bradley Estate in 1945. Besides organizations not mentioned above, he was a member of Chi Phi fraternity; Columbian Lodge of Masons; Brattleboro Post, American Legion, of which he formerly was vice-commander; Brattleboro Lodge of Elks, and the Kiwanis Club. The initiator of Brattleboro's Winter Carnivals, Mr. Harris served as president of the 1961 event, On Feb. 25, 1950 Mr. Harris married the former Helen Choate, who survives with one daughter, Sandra. Funeral services will be held in All Souls Church Sunday at 2 p.m. Rev. Fred H. Miller will officiate. Burial will take place in Morningside Cemetery.
Dean of Sport In U.S.; Founder Of Outing Clubs Fred H. Harris of 7 North Street. nationally known as "Mr. Ski." died unexpectedly early today in Memorial Hospital. He was 73. The "dean of American skiing," founder of the Dartmouth Outing Club and member of the National Ski Hall of Fame, was admitted to the hospital May 23. Recipient of many honors for his devotion to skiing for amateurs, Mr. Harris received the title of "dean" from the New England Council in 1935. Co-founder of the U S. Eastern Amateur Ski Association and its president for a number of years. he started his lifelong promotion of skiing as a student at Dartmouth college, from which he graduated in 1911. He was also a former vice-president and treasurer of the National Ski Association; had served as United States representative to F I.S. (Federation Internationale de Ski) and was an official at the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid in 1932 and again at Squaw Valley in 1960.
Published Book
Widely recognized as having done more than any single individual to make the United States ski conscious, Mr. Harris was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1957. His book, "Dartmouth Out O'Doors," published in 1913, is believed to have been the first book in America giving instructions on skiing. He was founder of the Brattle-boro Outing Club and had been made a life member for his years of service to the organization. He designed the club's jump, named Harris Hill in his honor, and had also designed many other ski hills. His pioneering spirit is illustrated in the manner in which he elicited interest in skiing as a sport at Dartmouth. A lone ski runner at Hanover, he was elected first president of the college Outing Club, formed in 1910 by 50 students, and now recognized as one of the leading organizations of its kind. The first ski jumping contest at Dartmouth was held that winter on a jump which Mr. Harris built. The next year he built a larger jump for the first of the now famed winter carnivals there. As an alumnus he built a third and larger hill for Dartmouth in 1915. Thirty-six years later the Dartmouth club dedicated a new cabin in his honor.
Skied Mountains
The club founder's skis had been the first to reach the summit of Mount Washington, highest peak in the East, when he headed a party of three in 1913. He was also the first ever to climb Mount Whiteface on skis and one of the first to make the ascent of Mount Marcy, both accomplished in 1920. Born in Brattleboro Sept. 8, 1887, he was the son of Charles A. Harris, a local banker, and Elizabeth J.(Morris) Harris. He graduated from Brattleboro High School In 1906. After graduating from Dartmouth he worked until 1916 for the banking house of Baker. Young & Co., Boston. Entering military service that year, he was one of seven men out of 157 in Co. F, 10th Regiment, at Plattsburgh, N.Y., to qualify as a rifle expert. He later served with the First Battery, Field Artillery, and concluded his nine months' war service in the Navy Air Corp. His interest in flying led after the war to his election as president of the Vermont Aero Club. An expert tennis player. Mr. Harris won the New England intercollegiate championship three times, was all-New England championship four times and captured about 30 state championships. At one time he ranked 14th among United States players. Among his other varied interests were hunting and fishing. He had shot moose in the Gaspe peninsula and smaller game in many sections of North America. An ardent sailboat racer, he won the New England Lightning Class Championship at Lake Spofford, N.H., in 1956. The previous year he was New Hampshire and Maine champion. He was one of the originators of the lightning fleet in 1946 and was commodore of the Lake Spofford Yacht Club from 1947-1950. He also was one of the organizers of the present club. Formerly an investment broker, Mr. Harris had engaged in real estate development since his purchase or the former Richards M. Bradley Estate in 1945. Besides organizations not mentioned above, he was a member of Chi Phi fraternity; Columbian Lodge of Masons; Brattleboro Post, American Legion, of which he formerly was vice-commander; Brattleboro Lodge of Elks, and the Kiwanis Club. The initiator of Brattleboro's Winter Carnivals, Mr. Harris served as president of the 1961 event, On Feb. 25, 1950 Mr. Harris married the former Helen Choate, who survives with one daughter, Sandra. Funeral services will be held in All Souls Church Sunday at 2 p.m. Rev. Fred H. Miller will officiate. Burial will take place in Morningside Cemetery.
Gravesite Details
His name is listed on his parents marker in Prospect Hill Cemetery as a cenotaph.
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