Harry W. Gaghen February 20, 1931 - May 31, 2007 Beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend and professor Harry Whitmer Gaghen passed away on May 31, 2007. A scholar and athlete with a wonderful sense of humor, he spent his last years slowed by but never submissive to Parkinson's disease. His family will fondly remember his easy smile, spontaneous melodies, loving encouragement and zest for life. We will miss him. Harry was born to Thomas and Edna Brinker Gaghen on Feb 20, 1931, in Brookport, Ill., and grew up in Alton, Ill. The third of five children, he was an avid student and excelled at sports, especially track and field, tennis and basketball. He won a scholarship to Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. Harry played for the national champion Bradley Braves basketball team. He was an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and was named president his senior year. Harry also participated in the ROTC and Air Force Reserve. In 1953, Harry graduated from Bradley, becoming the first member of his family to earn a university degree. He entered active duty in the Air Force and was stationed at Samson Air Force Base in New Hampshire. A first lieutenant, he spent a tour of duty in Japan during the Korean War. Harry returned to the U.S. and entered a training program with the Rock Island Railroad. After two years, he decided to pursue his studies instead and started graduate school, studying economics at the University of Denver. Always looking for any excuse to be outdoors, Harry spent five summers as a seasonal ranger in Yellowstone National Park. That fateful first summer - on Aug. 23, 1958 - Harry was stationed at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone when a car passed through driven by Marguerite (Peggie) Denney of Billings. Her family was buying a cabin in nearby Cooke City. Both Harry and Peggie later described their meeting as "love at first sight." They were married on Aug. 6, 1961. In 1960, Harry accepted a position at Eastern Montana College (MSU-B), working first as an instructor and later as a professor of economics. His signature black Schwinn 3-speed bicycle carried Harry and his battered brown briefcase to and from his office for nearly three decades. During that time, he worked with hundreds of students and truly enjoyed teaching and inspiring others to learn. He also continued his studies at University of California Berkeley and the University of New Mexico. During his tenure at EMC, he served as Chairman of the Business department as well as Dean of the School of Business. He and Peg were also regulars at all Yellowjacket activities especially basketball games. Opting for early retirement from EMC, Harry established a reputation as an economic consultant working closely with clients and attorneys to provide expert economic advice and testimony. In addition to his teaching, Harry was very active in the Billings community. He drew great strength from his faith and lived that faith, first at the United Methodist Church and later at the First Baptist Church. He was a 45-year member of the Lions Club, serving in a number of official positions. He loyally supported the Montana Democratic Party. Harry also enjoyed Broadway shows and jazz. He could "move to the music"; he and Peg were great dancers and even won a couple of jitterbug contests. Harry loved to travel. From leading student group trips to Europe in the '60s to touring the Middle East as a part of an international educational panel in the '70s to visiting his children around the world in the '80s and '90s, he was always up for an adventure. He instilled this fascination with the unknown in his children, who chose careers that led them far from the Rimrocks. Closer to home, Harry also loved the outdoors and was happiest when hiking and fishing with his family in the Beartooth Mountains. Harry is survived by his wife, Peggie, of Billings; children, spouses and grandchildren: Rebecca Gaghen of Paris, France; Jennifer Gaghen and Todd Knudsen of San Diego, Calif.; Matthew Gaghen and Shannon Connell (Ryan and Caroline) of Darien, Conn. He also leaves behind his brother, two sisters, their spouses, as well as nieces and nephews: Jack and Barbara Gaghen (Tom, John and Mark) of Southside, Ala.; Shirley Streshinsky (Mark and Maria) of Kensington, Calif.; Marco and Judy Bianchi (Susan and Lisa) of Fort Worth, Texas; and his late sister, Mary Jane's children (Steve, Mark, Connie, Ann and Linda). Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, at the First Baptist Church (Third Avenue North and Division) in Billings. If friends desire, memorials are suggested to the Michael J. Fox Foundation , 20 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005; Save the Redwoods League, 114 Sansome St., Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94101 or a charity of choice. Smith Funeral Home in Billings is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Billings Gazette on 6/4/2007.