Robert S. Harris *60

Robert died Oct. 3, 2023, in Houston.

He was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1935. He earned a B.A. in architecture from Rice University in 1957 and an MFA in architecture from Princeton in 1960. 

Robert began his academic career at the University of Texas while working as a partner for the firm Taniguchi, Shelman & Harris Architects. He joined the University of Oregon in 1967 as a professor of architecture and was promoted to dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts in 1971. He was instrumental in founding the University of Oregon’s Historic Preservation Program. 

Robert served as dean of the University of Southern California School of Architecture from 1981 to 1992. After a decade as dean, he took responsibility for building USC’s graduate architecture program and developing a graduate degree program in landscape architecture. He received the USC Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

Robert focused on design research, urban design, and the impact of urban development on people as well as on the existing fabric of the city.

Robert was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Vanderzyl, and a daughter from his first marriage Diane *91 (Diane died July 8, 2023, from cancer). Robert is survived by his daughters from his first marriage, Elaine and Janet; and his first wife, Sandra Harris. 

Graduate alumni memorials are prepared by the APGA.