Michael J. Harrison

After graduation from RHS I enrolled at the University of Minnesota. I received my BS degree in 1964 and my DDS degree in June of 1966. I married Sandy Swanson, a RHS 1960 classmate, in 1963 while at the U of M. Sandy was a nurse working at Abbot Hospital. She was the main support, in many ways, for our family at the time. While in dental school I volunteered in the USAF in 1964 during Viet Nam and after graduating from dental school in 1966 I served on active duty, stationed in California, for 2 years. We returned to Minnesota in 1968 where I set up my practice in Wayzata, MN with 2 other dentists. Our practice eventually grew to 5 dentists. In 1971 I started teaching part time at the U of M School of Dentistry and continued that until 2003 when we retired. I continued in group practice until 1992 with Sandy being my office coordinator/administrator for the last half of that practice. In 1991 our oldest son, Mike, graduated from dental school and after an internship at the VA, joined me in our adult dental practice also located in Wayzata until our retirement in 2003.

Our children were all born in the 60's. Our oldest son Mike, born 1963; daughter Shelly, born 1964; youngest son Greg born 1968. Mike and his wife Karla have 4 sons. Karla has been a full time mother since college and also full-time employee for an electrical firm. They live in Plymouth, MN. Our daughter Shelly Kelly worked in real estate and marketing after college and has been a full time mother for many years. She and husband Chad have 3 daughters and 2 sons. Chad is the CMO for a firm in Plymouth. They also live in Plymouth, MN. Our youngest son Greg is a physician specializing in neurosurgery. He and his wife Julie live in Boise, ID. Julie was a full-time nurse and now a full-time mother for their two young daughters. Our children and especially our grandchildren have started to disperse which has both it's pluses and minuses. We enjoy the variety and travel. Keeps us busy.

I enjoy most outdoor activities including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, golf plus racquetball, pickleball, photography, writing, traveling and mostly enjoying family and friends. Sandy and I have been involved in many mission trips here in the US and in other countries setting up dental clinics, doing construction and healthcare education, mostly in Central America. We spend a lot of time trying to keep up with family and friends. We have been very active in our church, Minnetonka United Methodists Church, for many years. Many fond memories of RHS. We have found that the most important treasure in life is in sharing memories of the past, enjoying each day and looking to the future in our relationships with others. We are blessed.

We presently live in Corcoran, MN in a 55+ Del Webb community called Bellwether.