Harry Dale Burrows

It is with profound sorrow we share that the great Harry Dale Burrows passed away on June 28, 2026, at the age of 86, lovingly surrounded by his family.

Survived by his devoted wife, Joyce, his children, Steve (Margo), Beth, Amanda (Todd) Welter, his grandchildren Ben and Emma, his sister Suzie Arnold and an abundance of adoring nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Harry lived a remarkable life. Born in Dayton, Ohio into an exuberant Burrows brood, Harry was the 4th of 5 kids. A slight yet feisty tyke from the get-go, his small frame belied his ample athletic abilities - which would later foreshadow his early career as a teacher and coach in sports.

Those rambunctious formative years in the Burrows household would also lead to Harry developing his lifelong secret weapon, and at times his salvation - a singular sense of humor. Anyone who ever met Harry knew this to be true. Harry was funny. Emphasis on FUN.

A graduate of Central State University in Ohio, Harry relocated to Wisconsin after accepting a position at Greendale Public Schools, where he would teach for the next 30 years… First in Physical Education, and then, after achieving his Masters from Cardinal Stritch University, in the Humanities.

Humanities was apropos, as humanity defined Harry. He was kind, gentle, caring, soft spoken, generous and endlessly encouraging - brimming with constant, unconditional love. A gentleman in full, the rare man with no enemies.

A passionate lover of books, movies, music, sports (especially the Cincinnati Reds), puzzles and pizza, Harry was also food finicky in the extreme, no fan of Wisconsin winters and reveled in his tradition of wearing silly hats on School Picture Day.

Harry took tremendous pride in supporting his children and grandchildren’s wildly eclectic dreams and life events - religiously attending their Theater shows, soccer games, Nutcracker ballets and Hollywood screenings. His family was his life.

Forever the teacher, Harry taught us all to be the very best version of ourselves - from the multitude of his family and friends to the thousands of students whose lives he mentored and shaped in perpetuity.

Harry fiercely fought to the very end. Though heartbroken, we are simultaneously relieved his brutal suffering and pain has ceased. He loved greatly and was greatly loved. Harry Dale Burrows will be beyond missed.

As his eight-year-old granddaughter Emma summed up perfectly… "Papa is the best Papa in the whole wide world.“

Family and friends are welcome to gather to celebrate Harry's life on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Community of Christ Church from 9:30 AM until time of service at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the American Heart Association or to the Spondylitis Association of America.