James F. Harter was the retired Vice President of International Education at Emporia State University, where he worked for over 40 years. He passed away in Emporia, Kansas on February 20th, 2013. He was 70.
James was born in Bern, Kansas on January 22, 1943, the son of Sylvia and Howard Harter. Surviving James is his wife Dorine Dilak Harter. He married Dorine in 1973.
James grew up in Bern, Kansas with his seven brothers and sisters, including his twin brother Jerry Harter. He was involved in Boy Scouts, high school band, musicals, and high school basketball.
James graduated from Emporia State with a BSE in Foreign Language in 1965 and spent a year in Chile as a Fulbright Scholar. He then earned a MS in Master Teacher Secondary in 1968, and Ed.S. in Counselor Education in 1979. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992.
He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served 13 months in Vietnam from 1969-1970 in Battalion B as a Specialist 5. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. When he returned from Vietnam, he returned to his work at Emporia State as an International Student Advisor. Over the next 40 years, James spent his career working with students. He loved ESU, where he called it a privilege to serve students, faculty, and representatives of countries around the world. His passions led him to be involved with dignitaries in over 60 countries. He believed that peace in the world will be possible when we learn to coexist with each other, by learning to respect other cultures and their way of life. He loved sharing this passion with his students, faculty, friends, and family.
James was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was a part of the choir for over 30 years. He also served on the Emporia Friends of the Zoo Board, was a member of Gardeners of America, National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, among many other organizations.
A celebration of life will be held at Albert Taylor Hall on March 1, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. A family and friends gathering will immediately follow at Webb Lecture Hall in the Memorial Union of the Emporia State University campus. Cremation is planned.
Other surviving family includes: sons, Pierre and Kristin Harter of Wichita, Derrek Harter of Kansas City, Erren Harter and Melanie Cates of Emporia; his four grandchildren, Marley Eilijah, Clayton Howard, Sloan Elizabeth, and Layla Grace. Also surviving are his twin brother Jerry and Barbara Harter; sister, Jane Ann and Richard Farris; brothers, Eugene and Sally Harter and Don and Val Harter; sister, Rosie Hespenhide; sister-in-law, Kay Harter; and brother-in-law, Scott Beims.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Carl; and sister, Donna Beims.
Memorials have been established in lieu of flowers and gifts:
J. F. Harter International Scholarship at Emporia State University; First United Methodist Church, Emporia; Emporia Friends of the Zoo; Hand in Hand Hospice.
Please send donations c/o:
Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home;
605 State Street;
Emporia, Kansas 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James F. Harter, please visit our flower store.
James was born in Bern, Kansas on January 22, 1943, the son of Sylvia and Howard Harter. Surviving James is his wife Dorine Dilak Harter. He married Dorine in 1973.
James grew up in Bern, Kansas with his seven brothers and sisters, including his twin brother Jerry Harter. He was involved in Boy Scouts, high school band, musicals, and high school basketball.
James graduated from Emporia State with a BSE in Foreign Language in 1965 and spent a year in Chile as a Fulbright Scholar. He then earned a MS in Master Teacher Secondary in 1968, and Ed.S. in Counselor Education in 1979. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992.
He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served 13 months in Vietnam from 1969-1970 in Battalion B as a Specialist 5. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. When he returned from Vietnam, he returned to his work at Emporia State as an International Student Advisor. Over the next 40 years, James spent his career working with students. He loved ESU, where he called it a privilege to serve students, faculty, and representatives of countries around the world. His passions led him to be involved with dignitaries in over 60 countries. He believed that peace in the world will be possible when we learn to coexist with each other, by learning to respect other cultures and their way of life. He loved sharing this passion with his students, faculty, friends, and family.
James was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was a part of the choir for over 30 years. He also served on the Emporia Friends of the Zoo Board, was a member of Gardeners of America, National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, among many other organizations.
A celebration of life will be held at Albert Taylor Hall on March 1, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. A family and friends gathering will immediately follow at Webb Lecture Hall in the Memorial Union of the Emporia State University campus. Cremation is planned.
Other surviving family includes: sons, Pierre and Kristin Harter of Wichita, Derrek Harter of Kansas City, Erren Harter and Melanie Cates of Emporia; his four grandchildren, Marley Eilijah, Clayton Howard, Sloan Elizabeth, and Layla Grace. Also surviving are his twin brother Jerry and Barbara Harter; sister, Jane Ann and Richard Farris; brothers, Eugene and Sally Harter and Don and Val Harter; sister, Rosie Hespenhide; sister-in-law, Kay Harter; and brother-in-law, Scott Beims.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Carl; and sister, Donna Beims.
Memorials have been established in lieu of flowers and gifts:
J. F. Harter International Scholarship at Emporia State University; First United Methodist Church, Emporia; Emporia Friends of the Zoo; Hand in Hand Hospice.
Please send donations c/o:
Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home;
605 State Street;
Emporia, Kansas 66801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James F. Harter, please visit our flower store.
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