Gerald W. Harju

Jerry was born in Ishpeming on April 16, 1933, son of the late Lydia (Olander) and Arvid Harju. He spent his early years in Ishpeming and Republic, graduating from the Republic High School, Class of 1951. He went on to further his education at the University of Michigan, receiving his Bachelor of science degree in applied mechanics in 1957. While at U of M Jerry took a co-op job at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and would spend a semester at school and then a semester working in New Mexico. Jerry worked as a Managing Engineer at Aerospace Corp. in Los Angeles, CA from 1958 – 1998 and during this time he received his Master’s degree. In 1998 Jerry moved back to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and began his second career, this time as an author and publisher, operating North Harbor Publishing and penning 11 books of his own.

A lifetime love of Jerry’s was the game of golf, which he took up at a young age, and continued to play and follow avidly throughout his life. Jerry also enjoyed a good adventure and he developed a lifelong appreciation of travel and exploring new places, especially his travels to the Baltic Region and the British Isles, along with numerous cruises. Jerry made 3 attempts to reach the North Pole, and on the final attempt, he gave his seat up on the plane and remained at the Base Camp, so someone else could make it to the Pole.

Jerry is survived by two daughters of his heart, Kara (David Smith) Livingston, of Orlinda, TN and Lisa (Steven Gladstone) Chapman, of Baja California, Mexico and a son of his heart, Edward Murr, of Nashville, TN along with a granddaughter of his heart Jourdan Murr of Nashville, TN.

He was preceded in death by his dear companion Karen Murr, a sister Esther and brother-in-law Donald.

Jerry’s family would also like to recognize his close friends Jen Byma and Paul Tiziani and extend a special thank you to Sandi Engstrom, Melissa Broeders his PA, UP Home Health and Hospice and his nurses Chelsea and Meghan along with his private duty aides.

The family will greet relatives and friends to celebrate Jerry’s life from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to UPAWS at upaws.org or PO Box 968, Marquette, MI 49855.

Jerry’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.“https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com/www.miningjournal.net/images/2020/02/13094020/HarjuJerry-final-326×500.jpg” alt=”” width=”326″ height=”500″ class=”alignnone size-medium wp-image-837640″ />