THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
FOR DR. MIKEL HARRY WAS
SATURDAY MAY 6TH @ ASU Scottsdale Sky Song Innovation Center
Memorial Scholarship Fund in Dr. Harry's Name
Arizona State University Foundation for the
"Dr. Mikel J. Harry Six Sigma Memorial Scholarship"
300 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281-2033
Click on the below link for any Memorial Contributions in Dr. Harry's name and for his established scholarship fund.
http://asufoundation.org/drharrysixsigma
Many thanks to all the people that attended the celebration of Life for Dr. Mikel Harry it was fabulous. We have also successfully recorded the service via Facebook LIVE as well.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Mikel Harry Ph.D., 65, born on December 28, 1951 and passed away on April 25, 2017.
We will remember him forever.
Tributes
Leave a tributeMy passion back then was to learn; his passion was to feed my curiosity which as a teacher I have inherited. I do what he did for me for my students. As a true authentic developer of learning, one must feed the curiosity as that is the driver for learning. But all in the mean time, I later found out, he did this on his death bed. What dedication, what passion, what selflessness.
Mikel, I'm sure your light is shining bright, so many of us are thinking of you.
-- I'm so sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences.
When my wife and I met she told me "You lead a blessed life." I had never thought about it like that. It was just life. She was right. What I have been allowed to experience isn't offered to many. That door to that life was opened by Mike as he drove his vision. I had a seat on a fast moving train.
Regardless of everything else we were also part of the Marine Corps brotherhood. That is an honor never given. Always earned. Semper Fi.
This put me right in the sights of Mikel being the founder of the Group Lean Six Sigma. From my request to join his group to connection and eventually regular sharing not only on Six Sigma gave me an insight on how generous this man was.
I had no idea that he was so ill as it never stopped him from responding to posts, bloggs, questions and discussions, even just weeks before he passed on, until he passed on.
Yes there are regrets, regret of not knowing his condition and been supportive to him; regrets of being more jovial in our times together.
RIP Mikel and thank you for your lessons in generosity and selflessness. As expertly achieved as your knowledge of Six Sigma.
Guven Manay, MBB
I believe that "Cowboy Mike" is, right now, engaging God in magnificent, deep conversations about creation, math, physics, and all the other things that likely only their great, creative minds can grasp.
The world has lost a creative genius, and I have lost a friend I truly wish I could have known better.
Gone, but not forgotten....
I enjoyed many discussions with Mikel at the fountain, in between his "heady" Six Sigma MBB classroom sessions, at the Scottsdale training center (ah, location, location, location).
Although I had trouble digging the Six Sigma stats stuff, he turned me onto Chaos Theory, Fractals, Complexity and Quantum Mechanics and a ton of other things that I had trouble understanding. After many years of reading until my eyes bled, watching documentaries, etc. on the topics, I am happy to say that I STILL don't understand them... but I'll keep trying.
I do know more about Six Sigma than I did then, and I value the time Dr. Harry shared with me (and so many others), patiently waiting for us to "get it". Well... maybe not so patiently as those who truly know him can surmise. His bark, however, was always worse than your bite.
Dr. Harry... You were right.... If a cow was waiting in the field for me/us to finally figure it out, the cow would have already been dead. The good news is that another cow always comes along.
Thank you. You stomped the terra and will be remembered.
I still remember every word he told me when I met him in March and it just makes my heart so heavy. I’m so glad I could remind him how much we love him and we owe him. Oh, he was making us laugh that day. Well yes he is the Alpha male and he will always be Doc. One and only Doc!
He has mentioned so many times that he sees so much of him in me, but the truth is no one on earth will ever be able to even come close to the legacy of Dr Mikel J Harry. But one thing for sure, I will always be his biggest fan period, and I know most will agree with that statement. Guess our best tribute to you is to preserve your work and pass on to many generations to come. We all are on it Doc.. will not give up on you.. never did and never will!
Till we meet again … love you and miss you! – Dumi, Aro & Jr.
Mikel lived large . . . and well. He had one of the greatest hearts I’ve ever encountered. He was the face of Six Sigma, his personality was stamped on it. Many of us have emulated his spirit, none have equaled it.
Bon voyage, Mikel!
1. Graduating from West Point
2. Marrying Alissa
3. Having a son – Ian
4. My introduction to Mikel Harry and Six Sigma at GE and subsequently working at the Six Sigma Academy
The benefits of learning and experiencing Six Sigma go far beyond uncovering EBITDA – Enhancing techniques, Mikel created an amazing opportunity that I cherish.
I worked at fabulous client companies (DuPont, Schlumberger, Merrill Lynch, Citizens Bank, Ford, Textron, Tyco and so many more) many of my clients have become great friends to this day.
Between the clients and my colleagues, I’ve had the pleasure of working with intelligent, inquisitive people who spend their days encouraging others to drive positive change – truly life altering.
Thank you Mikel and Godspeed
While in college at Ball State University Mikel & I shared numerous memories growing up in Middletown. I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of a true friend.
Michael E Tincher
Anderson, Indiana
m_tincher26@comcast.net
I and selected members of the USS West Virginia are thankful for all that Dr. Harry has given to the Quality Assurance and process improvement world, and his lessons have personally improved my life and my outlook of the corporate landscape once I leave the US Navy. Thank you for the Wings for Heroes program and making available the priceless gift of knowledge and training.
I give my condolences to you in your loss.
Montani Semper Liberi
Semper Fortis
Semper Fidelis
Here was a very generous man; The father of Lean Six Sigma America, well versed in all aspects of Six Sigma and aroused my curiosity so much that after joining his group Christmas 2014, I would sit up while my wife was asleep and join in on the discussions. Very sadly missed. An excellent connection cut short so soon :(
Leave a Tribute
My passion back then was to learn; his passion was to feed my curiosity which as a teacher I have inherited. I do what he did for me for my students. As a true authentic developer of learning, one must feed the curiosity as that is the driver for learning. But all in the mean time, I later found out, he did this on his death bed. What dedication, what passion, what selflessness.
Please be patient.
Sharing
In February of 2013, Dr. Harry shared the Great Discovery, and principles of Six Sigma with a few members of the Arizona National Guard. Moreover, his gestures of kindness and willingness to share were humbling. I now treasure his efforts to support our Service Members. Dr. Harry had a vision and desire to enrich the fabric of us all, through Six Sigma, through The Great Discovery, through his friendship to all those who carry the spirit of service.
The brilliant of light of authentic patriotism shined in his eyes, reflecting the best of America’s ideals; making this world a better place. In my view, Mikel shined brightly the brilliance of America – goodness in action. A goodness founded in the virtues of cooperation and a sense of community. A community that believes the pursuit of happiness is best experienced as a joint venture of shared service, arduous work, and opportunities for all; and Mikel led the way.
From time to time that gracious light sines so that we see the panorama of America’s dream. From here freedom’s light illuminates our case and reflects the greatness of Americas legacy. Listen closely and you will hear “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” echoing on the wind, as he now breaths life under angles wings. With gratitude’s glow, we now gaze upon one Marine’s amazing impact on us all. Today the light of his visions transcends our hearts as soft shadows cast upon our beliefs, hopes, and dreams in America the Beautiful. Thank you, Mikel, my friend, for shining the light.
Treat em’ Rough
Max Butler
Remembering Mikel
I first met Mikel writing standards for IPC in late '80s (writing standards was where I met Bill Smith as well, EIA QRE). We were working on IPC-PC-90 attempting to require companies to embrace Quality Improvement. I had the chance to travel with Mikel around ther US and Eurpoe and present methodologies and eventually he hired me to help implement/deploy six sigma for ABB (Power T&D, where I met Zinkgraf). Next thing I know he and Rich were off to AliedSignal...where he brought 'Z' and me along...and we added Gary to the fold). It was a wild ride with some great stories. Mikel was very persuasive and seldom lost an argument. He did much to convince several CEO's to implement six sigma and thus influence a generation. Although there were many times we disagreed with approach, deployment and even tools, he was extremely passionate. Funny, I never heard him talk about father or godfather of six sigma, but I do recal him calling himself the John Wayne of Quality. Rest in Peace, Mikel.
The Emotive Storyteller
In order to win someone over to your cause, you must first reach their heart, the great and high road to their mind... this is what Doc did for me during one of the last Executive Master Black Belt classes that he taught in 2017.
Mikel's capacity to reflect upon and share with the class, the myriad challenges and successes that he encountered, as he worked with the executives of Motorola, General Electric and Allied Signal, enabled me to see the world through his eyes, and that we must continue to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield, until the goal has been achieved.
Rest in Peace Doc...