Obituary of Wesley Ray Harkins

Wesley R. Harkins, widely known Great Lakes photographer and writer, died peacefully Thursday night, May 25, 2017, in Duluth. He was 96. A native Duluthian, Wes was inducted into the Great Lakes Marine Hall of Fame in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., in 2002 and was named Duluth-Superior Harbor Man of the Year in 1980. His photographs were published in shipping-related magazines and on calendars throughout the Great Lakes, and for many years his byline appeared in regional mining and shipping publications. He had extensive knowledge of local port history and was often sought out by reporters for background information. Wes was born April 2, 1921, the son of Fred and Emma (Anderson) Harkins. He was a 1941 Duluth Central graduate. He started his career in the Navy and in 1940 was aboard the training vessel USS Paducah on a trip from Chicago to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He attended officer training schools at St. Thomas University in St. Paul and Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH; was a deck watch officer and communications officer in the Pacific during World War II, and was recalled to active duty in the Korean War. Following World War II, Wes worked briefly for the Northern Pacific Railroad before joining the staff of Duluth’s Skillings Mining Review magazine. He spent 13 years at Skillings, where he gained acclaim for his weekly maritime columns and photos. In 1959, he joined Fraser Shipyards, Inc., in Superior as public and industrial relations director, a position he held until his retirement in 1983. He then spent eight winters as a shipkeeper on Interlake Steamship Co. vessels in the Duluth-Superior Harbor. Wes and his late wife Vivian were residents of the Chester Park neighborhood. For many years they were prominently involved in the Duluth Ski Club ski-jumping programs. Post-retirement, Wes stayed active in several organizations, including a Paducah reunion group, the Duluth-Superior Harbor Club, Twin Ports Propeller Club, International Ship Masters Association, Lake Superior Marine Museum Association and the Friday ROMEOs. He was preceded in death by Vivian (2005); a daughter, Margaret Ann (Peggy) Harjung (2001) and a sister, Ruth Harkins (2007). He is survived by daughters Jackie (Glenn) Kotlarek, Duluth, and Dr. Jan Harkins, Reedsburg, Wis.; sons Richard (Debbie) Harkins of Rocky River, Ohio, and Kenneth (Dr. Charlene) Harkins of Brimson; and 13 grandchildren plus many great and great great-grandchildren. The family is grateful to the Edgewood Vista staff, Jackie and Glenn Kotlarek, friend Jim Banks and granddaughter Stacey Quade for special help and comfort to Wes in the last months of his life. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12 Noon, Friday, June 9, 2017 at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth.