Baine Harris, PhD

Ransom Baine Harris, PhD Eminent Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, Old Dominion University, 85, passed away February 6, 2013. Born in Hudson, NC, Dr. Harris retired as chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies in 1995. Dr. Harris was invited to this area in 1960 to help plan the curriculum for the new Fredrick College which was later donated by Mr. Fred Beazley to the state of Virginia and became Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth Campus. He later taught at Clemson University and then was chair of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University before being invited to ODU. Dr. Harris taught Philosophy for 38 years and was responsible for 13 major international conferences on Neoplatonism. He was one of the main founders of the International Society for Neoplatonic Studies in 1973. He was editor of 12 scholarly books published by SUNY Press. He lectured in 26 countries. His studies included 70 plus graduate semester hours in philosophy and 50 graduate semester hours in religious and world religion studies. He received his AA from Mars Hill College, BA and Masters Degree from University of Richmond, BD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Masters Degree from Emory University and PhD from Temple University. He was ordained as a Baptist minister as a young man. What started as a hobby of recording Carillon bells turned into a small business, Hudson Recordings. There are several churches and one courthouse which play his recordings regularly. He found time to establish a retreat in Hudson NC called Ransom's Woods. He continued writing essays until a week before his death. Dr. Harris, Baine, as he was known to his family and friends, is survived by his "Favorite" and only wife of 55 years, Ettie Jeanne; his "Favorite oldest daughter", Nancie Elizabeth Laing, her husband Gregory and their sons Ian 21 and Ryan 12 of Chesapeake VA; his "Favorite youngest daughter", Lori Ann Harris of Asheville, NC; and his sister Betty Williams of Portsmouth VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hettie and Ransom Zelah Harris and siblings Ruby Sprinkle, Pearl Killian and Max Harris. A Memorial Service will be held at Churchland Baptist Church Saturday, February 16 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Churchland Baptist Church 3031 Churchland Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23321 in his name. Donations will be used to help support the needy and a scholarship fund.

Baine Harris, PhD

February 12, 2013