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HARROD -- Ira E. Harrod, Jr., (Joe) 87, a resident of Albuquerque, NM for the past year, died on Tuesday, September 21, 2004. Harrod was born in Kansas City, MO but soon moved to Burlington, VT where he lived through high school. In 1935, he began his over 30-year association with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY with his enrollment in industrial engineering. He received his B.S. in 1939 and later an M.S. and worked as an engineer in Albany, NY until 1941. Joe joined the Marines in 1941 and was a veteran of World War II. He served in the Pacific theater seeing action in Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He retired from the Marines with the rank of major in 1945. After the war, he returned to engineering, this time in Philadelphia. This was short lived in that two years later he was back at his alma mater joining the staff of the management engineering department in 1947. He remained at RPI until his retirement in 1979. From teaching, he was appointed Assistant Dean of Students in 1952, and Dean of Students in 1957. He was the first Director of Academic Advising in 1976. He received many awards for his work including the Albert Fox Demers Medal, Dean Emeritus of Students in 1984. He was honored for his contribution to the high standards of RPI and his devotion to the improvement of the quality of life at the Institute. Upon retirement, he and his wife Betty moved to Maine where they remained until 2003. During his retirement in Maine, Joe was active in his church, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Falmouth, as well as in his community. He earned the admiration of his peers by exemplifying the Yankee virtues of his Vermont upbringing. He was an avid hockey enthusiast, loved swimming and sailing and enjoyed other hobbies such as woodworking, history and antiques. He was married for 64 years and devoted to his wife, Betty. Joe is survived by his son, Peter E. Harrod and wife, Anna; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Harrod Clark, James G. Harrod, Rachael Conti, Daniel E. Harrod, and Gabriela Rose Harrod; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty B. Harrod; and eldest son, James C. Harrod. Services will take place on Friday, September 24, 2004, 10:00 a.m., at Gate of Heaven Chapel, 7999 Wyoming Blvd., NE, with the Very Reverend Alan Dennis, officiating. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Fri September 24, 2004