10/25/2021
With very great sadness we write to report that Harris Bunker, a member of the second Social Science Scholars cohort, passed away last week after a long illness.
Strikingly kind, witty, and intellectually brilliant, Harris was also a person of the highest moral caliber, an Economics student of the first order, and a brilliant quiz bowl player. Jenn and I have many cherished memories of Harris: talking earnestly about his lawn care business during his interview; watching a video of the standup comedy routine he performed in his first week on campus, a very funny display of dry wit and sharp observation; the sweet gentleness of his manners which meant that he always insisted on calling Jenn ‘Mrs Arbogast’; the enthusiasm with which he embarked on a very challenging study of the (un)fairness of US tax policy under the guidance of Dr. Tony Doblas-Madrid; his excitement at spending a semester doing research in Zurich, Switzerland; and the passion for Economics which saw him start a PhD in the discipline at UC San Diego upon graduation (an undertaking he had to put on hold due to his illness). I informed three of Harris’ former professors of his death this morning. They instantly replied: ‘Harris was indeed a brilliant student of economics and most importantly a great, great guy’; ‘Harris was such a bright and talented young man, and it was easy to see that he had a good heart’; and ‘It is clear Harris made a lasting impression on many here.’
My (JW) most vivid recollection of Harris dates from his freshman year when I speculatively asked the class who coined the term ‘the banality of evil’ in reference to the Holocaust. Without hesitation, Harris said (rightly) ‘Hannah Arendt’ and proceeded to explain the term with the clarity of a person of the deepest intelligence who already had considerable wisdom about the human condition. Long after graduating, at the height of the COVID lockdown, he was still kind enough to offer his services as a Quiz Bowl chair for Scholars in order to ease their sense of isolation. By virtue of his generosity of spirit, his loyalty to others, and his love of intellectual discussion and debate, Harris formed the strongest friendships in the Scholars Program. He will be very much missed, and the world will be a poorer place for the loss of his personal decency and academic excellence.
Harris Bunker, age 24, passed away on October 19, 2021, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Loving son of Frank and Melissa Bunker. Dear brother of Amalia Bunker and Amanda Carroll. Cherished uncle of Henry Carroll, Adam Carroll, Roger Carroll, and Thea Carroll. Beloved grandson of Gladys Chipoco. Vi...
