Richard Joseph Harsha

Richard Joseph Harsa, M.D., USAF Col. Retired of Sherwood, died on August 3, 2013 at age 77. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 31, 1935 to Frank and Hermina Harsa, immigrants from Czechoslovakia. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diana Dawes of 51 years; daughter, Renee Giesemann and her husband Christopher, and grandchildren, Ximena, Luke, Andres and Alex of Portland, Oregon; son, Richard James "Rick" Harsa and grandchildren, Kyle, Robyn, and Lukas and great-grandchild Sage of North Little Rock; and son, Eric Matthew "Matt" Harsa of Sherwood; brothers-in-law, Byron and Terri Dawes of Florida and Preston and Lorna Dawes of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. Richard graduated with a B.A. from Denison University in Granville, Ohio and an M.D. from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed a rotating internship at Philadelphia General Hospital and an internal medicine residency at the Cleveland VA and University Hospitals. Called out of private practice into the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict, he served his country until his retirement, September 30, 1986. Highlights of his career were over 14 years spent at USAF Regional Hospital at Eglin AFB, in Florida where he served as Chief of Internal Medicine; Director of Phase II Physician Assistant Training Program; clinical instructor of Family Practice Residents Training Program; and head of numerous hospital committees. His last assignment was at USAF Hospital, Little Rock, where he was Chief of Hospital Services. He continued to practice medicine as a civil service physician until 1996 at the Little Rock AFB hospital. He considered it an honor and privilege to treat the active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents. Dr. Harsa was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he and his wife served as Eucharist Ministers and worked on the finance committee. Dr. Harsa loved his family and was proud of each member. He enjoyed travel, and being with his wife, especially reading scripture and praying with her. Feeding and observing the birds was a favorite pastime, as was keeping informed of local and national news. He loved doing crossword puzzles. Visitation will be held August 7 at 6 p.m. followed by the rosary at 7 p.m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held August 8 at 10:30 a.m at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment with full military honors will be at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org/howhelp.html#memgift or Immaculate Conception Catholic School, North Little Rock. Arrangements by North Little Funeral Home, a Smith Family Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.