Harnish, Roy W. (1921-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Jul 29 p. 12

Birth date: 1921

text of obituary:

ROY W. HARNISH

Roy W. Harnish, 81, of Hagerstown, Md., died June 30, 2002. He was born June 10, 1921, to Jacob T. and Ella Weaver Harnish in Lancaster County, Pa.

He earned a master's of social work in psychiatric social work from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1956. He moved to Hagerstown in 1958 to establish the department of social work at Brooklane Psychiatric Center. After 10 years at Brooklane, he established a private practice, which he continued until his death.

He provided clinical supervision for graduate students of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work and carried supervisory responsibilities for the first professional medical social worker at Cedar Ridge Children's Home.

He served as a consultant for the first professional medical social worker at Washington County Hospital. He taught at Hagerstown Community College and Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.

He was a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy of Certified Social Workers and was a diplomate in clinical social work. He was on the board of directors of the International Conference for the Advancement of Private Practice and held the office of secretary-treasurer. He served on the board of directors of Family Service Agency in Hagerstown. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

He was a member and teacher for fifty years in the Mennonite Church and most recently was a member of Hagerstown Church of the Brethren.

Survivors include his wife, Dora Engle Hamish, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 20; three sons, R. Melvin Harnish of Hagerstown, Joseph E. Harnish of University Park, Fla., and Merle D. Harnish of Greencastle, Pa.; four sisters, Anna Ranck of Lancaster, and Elizabeth Graybill, Stella Clymer and Mary Hess, all of Lititz, Pa.; two brothers, John of Millersville, Pa., and Henry of Enid, Okla.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Martha Myer and Ada Graybill; and two brothers, Jacob and Clarence.

A memorial service was held at Hagerstown Church of the Brethren. Burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Hagerstown.