Raymond D. Harlan passed away Jan. 28, 2021 in Dallas, TX. He was 79 years old and born May 29, 1941. He was cremated and there was no obituary published.
I am saddened to hear of “RD’s” death. Sunset Hills has lost another of its favorite sons.
It is probably not an overstatement to say that “RD” was the most complex individual to graduate in the Class of 1959 (my opinion only). He was my friend from kindergarten until about twenty years ago when I fell “out of favor” with him…as others did and will understand.
“RD” was smart, articulate, a free-spirited individualist who marched to the tune of his own drummer whatever the consequences. The day after we graduated, he left for New York City and never looked back. He was fearless, which I witnessed firsthand and scared the hell out of me, and for which I respect him to this day. He could be a loyal friend, but as years passed it became increasingly difficult to be a friend in return. He was demanding, unforgiving, judgmental, and appallingly irreverent. Nevertheless, he was such a unique character that one could not resist being drawn to him like a moth to a burning flame.
The world is a far less interesting place without Raymond Dunleigh Harlan. Rest in peace, “RD.”
Sure, I remember Raymond Dudley Harlan! He knew about European sports cars and looked down at what the US automotive industry called sports cars (not good handling in turns, etc.) I'd love to chat with our class members about RD and life in general. Ray Anderson 703/532-3830
RD - You described him very well, Bob. I can see him before me as I consider the times he was in my classes and in discussions with other Sunset Hills friends like Bob Peace. I recall his music taste for some reason being cutting edge. Yes, he was a very colorful individual!
As I remember it RD was the first from our class to go to the Hill District to Crawford's Grill to experience jazz greats. I think Erroll Garner and Thelonious Monk performed at Crawford's Grill. Is that correct?
Good memories Sue (Ritter) and Nancy (Havlik). The "cutting edge" music Sue refers to, and the Hill District trips referred to by Nancy are both correct. RD was a jazz affectionado from pre-HS days. And yes, he made many trips, often by himself, to Crawford's Grill as Nancy recalls. I remember accompanyinng him, as did others, on a few of those sojourns holding my breath the entire night. He was fearless, and "dared" others to tag along. When he went to New York City following our graduation he got a job as an all-night (midnight to early morning) disk jockey on an all-jazz radio station. I think he developed a respectable following in that genre and highly competitive market. .
Thanks for sharing some of RD's fascinating bio with us Bob. RD and David Larry introduced me to jazz musicians in high shcool whose work I have treasured for my whole life!
The comments about R.D. Harlan brought back some great memories. R.D. and I made a number of trips to Hill District night clubs - - - not just the Crawford Grill, but to "The Hurricane" and others. On a few occasions we had some hair-raising stressful experiences getting from where we had to park the car to the night spot, but once we were inside, the locals were pretty accepting of our presence. R.D. had a sharp mind and a great sense of humor. Sometimes he could be a little caustic, but once you got the hang of coping with his amazing wit, he was a delight to be around.
Yes Thomas. RD was the first "outlier" that I had ever known. He was fascinating and a little frigthening to me as a kid. I had forgotten about The Hurricane. I never went to those bars, I just heard about them from Bill Hunt.
Robert W. Caldwell
I am saddened to hear of “RD’s” death. Sunset Hills has lost another of its favorite sons.
It is probably not an overstatement to say that “RD” was the most complex individual to graduate in the Class of 1959 (my opinion only). He was my friend from kindergarten until about twenty years ago when I fell “out of favor” with him…as others did and will understand.
“RD” was smart, articulate, a free-spirited individualist who marched to the tune of his own drummer whatever the consequences. The day after we graduated, he left for New York City and never looked back. He was fearless, which I witnessed firsthand and scared the hell out of me, and for which I respect him to this day. He could be a loyal friend, but as years passed it became increasingly difficult to be a friend in return. He was demanding, unforgiving, judgmental, and appallingly irreverent. Nevertheless, he was such a unique character that one could not resist being drawn to him like a moth to a burning flame.
The world is a far less interesting place without Raymond Dunleigh Harlan. Rest in peace, “RD.”
Ray Anderson
Sure, I remember Raymond Dudley Harlan! He knew about European sports cars and looked down at what the US automotive industry called sports cars (not good handling in turns, etc.) I'd love to chat with our class members about RD and life in general. Ray Anderson 703/532-3830
Sue Callahan (Ritter)
RD - You described him very well, Bob. I can see him before me as I consider the times he was in my classes and in discussions with other Sunset Hills friends like Bob Peace. I recall his music taste for some reason being cutting edge. Yes, he was a very colorful individual!
Nancy Sherbondy (Havlik)
As I remember it RD was the first from our class to go to the Hill District to Crawford's Grill to experience jazz greats. I think Erroll Garner and Thelonious Monk performed at Crawford's Grill. Is that correct?
Nancy (Sherbondy Havlik)
Robert W. Caldwell
Good memories Sue (Ritter) and Nancy (Havlik). The "cutting edge" music Sue refers to, and the Hill District trips referred to by Nancy are both correct. RD was a jazz affectionado from pre-HS days. And yes, he made many trips, often by himself, to Crawford's Grill as Nancy recalls. I remember accompanyinng him, as did others, on a few of those sojourns holding my breath the entire night. He was fearless, and "dared" others to tag along. When he went to New York City following our graduation he got a job as an all-night (midnight to early morning) disk jockey on an all-jazz radio station. I think he developed a respectable following in that genre and highly competitive market. .
Nancy Sherbondy (Havlik)
Thanks for sharing some of RD's fascinating bio with us Bob. RD and David Larry introduced me to jazz musicians in high shcool whose work I have treasured for my whole life!
Nancy
Thomas A. Beardshall
The comments about R.D. Harlan brought back some great memories. R.D. and I made a number of trips to Hill District night clubs - - - not just the Crawford Grill, but to "The Hurricane" and others. On a few occasions we had some hair-raising stressful experiences getting from where we had to park the car to the night spot, but once we were inside, the locals were pretty accepting of our presence. R.D. had a sharp mind and a great sense of humor. Sometimes he could be a little caustic, but once you got the hang of coping with his amazing wit, he was a delight to be around.
Nancy Sherbondy (Havlik)
Yes Thomas. RD was the first "outlier" that I had ever known. He was fascinating and a little frigthening to me as a kid. I had forgotten about The Hurricane. I never went to those bars, I just heard about them from Bill Hunt.