Ralph Harris Obituary

Ralph R. Harris

April 24, 1938 - August 17, 2025

Ralph R. Harris, 87, of Moline, Ill., passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa, surrounded by family.

Private graveside services will be held at Moline Memorial Park. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, under the direction of Trimble Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, Colo.

Ralph Raymond Harris was born April 24, 1938, in Matherville, Ill., the son of James and Melva (Olsen) Harris.

While a sophomore at Sherrard High School, Ralph started dating the love of his life, Carolyn Doris Docherty, and the couple served as Homecoming Queen/King prior to graduating in 1956. They married on August 6, 1960, in Boden, Ill., and shared 58 years of marriage before Carolyn's passing in 2019.

Ralph went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University, his master's degree from Illinois Institute of Technology, and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He built a career as a professor of statistics, management, and computer science, first working for the government and later joining the faculty at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, where he taught until his retirement around 2007.

He was a member of Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, Moline. His love of sports began in childhood, sparked by Satchel Paige's historic MLB debut when Ralph was just 10 years old.

Over the years, he enjoyed all kinds of sports, especially cheering on the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. He was also an avid golfer. Above all, Ralph cherished time with his family and was a proud and devoted presence at his grandchildren's sporting events.

Ralph is survived by three children and their spouses, Kimberly and Kurt Wheat of Davenport, Iowa, Michelle Harris and Mark Cartwright of Erie, Colo., and Brian and Ann Harris of Bettendorf; four grandchildren, Matt Wheat, Sam Wheat, Taylor Harris, and Cole Harris; siblings, Edith "Edie" Duncan, and Mary Johnson; and many nieces and nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carolyn Harris; and siblings, Tom and Nancy Harris.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.