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

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.

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...

MIkel and I met when I interviewed for working at Six Sigma Academy.  He liked that I was a Marine and that I had some senior management experience.  I knew a number of people there as well as some people that he worked with from Kodak when he was developing the Six Sigma methodology at Motorola.  My wife and I shared some drinks with him and his wife at one of our consultants meetings.  He was always the center of activity.  He will be missed, but his legacy will live on with those who remember him.

I have so many memories and stories in regards to Mikel. There are so many of these stories (which Mike loved) over the thousands of days we worked together that there isnt enough space here to give them justice.Everyone talks about the six sigma aspect- but going back to our initial meeting at Motorola in 1984 and using his analytical tools to to write the Motorola Baldrige applcation, working for me at ABB and removing the risk factors for building a nuclear power plant, working for me at Allied Signal implementing the largest  successful six sigma deployment in history, introducing him to Jack at GE, both of us developing the Six Sigma Academy, writing the first book on Six Sigma, the numerous rodeo roping events and road trips we had together, the trail blazing in the woods of Payson, Az. on our horses and our mutual love of cars, ONE THING was the most evident in Mike at all times- his PASSION. Everything he did he did with 1000 percent passion and total belief. The passion Mikel had is the one aspect I will remember forever. God speed Mikel.

People come into your life, for reasons...seasons...and lifetimes. I did not get to experience nearly as much time with him, as I would have liked...and now it will be in the ethers.  Mikel is, and always will be...a highley intuitive man.  Someone who shares truth from his heart & always supports his friends in the quest of their greatest good.  I loved our talks, we had so much fun sharing ideas...and it was always very exciting to be in that creative vortex with him...I always came away with priceless nuggets of possibilities!  I won't get to write with him again...but, who knows...the way he rolls, he will find a way!  Channel away Mikel...I will always be listening!  With love, your friend Ellen

Most people jump to the statistics, many to the Black Belts,

others to DMAIC, but the real genius was in the creation

of the leadership position of Champion.

This was not a job description for anyone at DuPont when we 

started Six Sigma, but it became the honored title

of those that led the transformation to a Six Sigma culture.

The Champions were leaders, innovators, motivators and mentors that

not only delivered results, but also developed people.

This position was a training ground for future

executive leaders...

And Mikel was the Champion of Champions.

Like the lyrics from Truckin' by Gerry Garcia "what a long strange trip it has been."  Mikel spent a lot of his time leading that trip.

When Mikel and I first met in 1984 we had an immediate connection. Both of us had served in the United States Marine Corps. That made us part of a very small brotherhood.

We met at Motorola in 1984. Over the course of several years we eventually ended up on the Allied Signal and GE deployments. Mikel had a vision and from those two deployments eventually morphed into a initiative that changed the business world globally. When I joined the effort in 1995 I had no idea what a gift I had been given by being included in those early years.

A couple years ago I was in Phoenix for Thanksgiving. My wife, Consuelo, and I met Mikel and Sandy for lunch. It turned into a 3 hour lunch with a lot of old memories revisited. This Thanksgiving I was back in Phoenix and had another long discussion with Mikel. Lots of memories and lots of plans for the future. I am fortunate that i have those two times as my last memories of Mikel.

You will be missed. Semper Fi.

Met Mikel in October 1983 where he was teaching Shanin (ADT in Motorola speak). Murray Allen and I recommended him for employment by Mother Motorola the following year and he immediately took over wowing GEG and headquarters.

I went on to implement SS, Cycle Time, and PMP for the Automotive group and ran accross Mikel occasionally as he came to Chicago to further define SS.

Rich Schroeder and he, on the advice of Steve Zinkgraf, hired me as one of the three to implement SS at AlliedSignal and GE the following year.

I've just completed my 22nd year consulting and none of this would have been been possible without the salesmanship of Mikel Harry. Thank you Mikel. 

Dr. Mikey Harry was leading a partnership at Motorola University when I met him.  I was the Kodak representative as part of the partnership with about six other Fortune 500 companies.  We met every month for two years in Chicago to design a Six Sigma support system to spread the Six Sigma methodology to a broad range of US companies.


During that time, we took an idea that originated in Tempe, AZ at Motorola, called "Six Sigma Black Belt certification."  With that one idea, we developed a one week course to train Black Belts that could be duplicated by the partnership companies.  For the first course, Mr. Bob Galvin, the then president of Motorola, and Mikel signed the certificate to make us the first certified Six Sigma Black Belts.


The rest you can read in many documents of the evolution of Six Sigma Black Belts as Mikel moved to Allied Signal, then GE. 


That partnership and exposure to Mikel changed the course of my career.  I went from Industrial engineering director to process engineering Program Management and never looked back.  Six Sigma problem solving has supplied my livelihood for the last 25 years.  And I thank Mikel for that.


His passion for statistics and amazement at what we could do with it was contagious.  He never lost his committment and belief that we could change the world for the better.


Mikel will be missed.          

Mike with the first Six Sigma Green Belt class I trained. They were so shocked to have him visit and share the story of the birth and evolutions of Six Sigma. I was so honored that he accepted my invitation to speak and complete the circle of my Six Sigma journey.