Paul Anthony Harris, age 74, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024 at his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was born on December 10, 1949 in Hillsboro, Wisconsin to Earl Clifford and Barbara (nee Cesnik) Harris.
Paul grew up in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. He graduated from the Hillsboro High School in 1968. He married Rita Stekel on June 3, 1972 at Mt. Tabor, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
He graduated from UW-La Crosse with a MS Degree in 1975 and worked forty years as the Laboratory Director for Davy Laboratories in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Paul was very involved and appointed to many of the WI WDNR’s programs. In 1978, Paul was a founding member of the Wisconsin Environment Laboratories Association and served many years as its President. In 1988, he was involved in the founding of the Wisconsin Laboratory Certification Program.
Paul also served in the U.S. Army National Guard for nine years, obtaining the rank of sergeant. He was a member of American Legion Post 52.
Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, gun collecting, model railroading, playing guitar and working on family genealogies. In addition, he wrote two books, Knowlton School and The History of the Hillsboro & Northeastern Railway.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Barbara Harris, and his brother, Peter John Harris.
Paul is survived by his wife, Rita and three children, Julie (Steve) Haak of Billings, Montana, Brian (Catherine) Harris of Fitchburg, Wisconsin and Mark (Haylee) Harris of Coon Valley, Wisconsin. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Wyatt Haak, Callie Haak and Owen Harris; a sister, Mary (Glenn) Barrowman of Florissant, Colorado and sister-in-law, Peggy Harris of Ridgway, Colorado.
He is further survived by his extended family of Jerome Stekel, Jim Stekel, Bob and Velma Hora, Bill and Jo Ann Filler, Jerry and Ellen Stark, Caroline Stekel and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for the excellent care Paul was given.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with Father Don Bauer officiating. Interment will be in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery at Mount Tabor. A time of visitation will be at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 10 to 11 a.m.
The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com
