International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame member Richard “Dick” Allen Harris of South English, Iowa, passed away Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. He was 90.
Harris served in the U.S. Army during World War II after graduating from North English High School. Harris married Mary Jane Robu on Dec. 11, 1949, in Sigourney and made their home in South English, where he was a long-time farrier. He was a member of the North English Christian Church, International Rodeo Assoc., Iowa Professional Farrier Association, Rodeo Cowboys Assoc., the South English Commercial Club and the Ross T. Hadley American Legion Post #488. Harris also served on the South English Fire Department for many years and was a current trustee, the South English Development Organization and the Modern Co-Op in South English. He enjoyed his horses, cattle and spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids.
Harris was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame in 2000. He was well known for his ability to work metal. He made chairs and ottomans of horseshoes that the Iowa Folk Artists and Iowa Arts Council used in a traveling art museum. Harris also helped found the Iowa Professional Farriers Association where he served as president and vice president and on the board of directors. He hosted the South English Classic Championship at his shop annually, and was always in the front row at shoeing clinics so he won’t miss anything. He was known among his clients as an extremely professional, neat craftsman, worthy of the trust and confidence they have for him. He even made shoes to ship to them when they moved out of his shoeing area.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Burial will be in the South English Cemetery with Military Rites by Ross T. Hadley American Legion Post #488. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Memorials are for the North Keokuk County Fire Department, the North English Fire Department or the English Valley Care Center. Messages and tributes may be left at powellfuneralhomes.com.