Harry Eldon Pike

Dr. Harry Eldon Pike, 83, of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., passed away at his home on June 21, 2018. He was born to Harry and Jean (McReavy) Pike on Sept. 10, 1934, in Seattle, Wash. He graduated from Vancouver (Washington) High School and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Washington. Later he earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. During his lifetime he held many jobs, from teaching high school journalism and driver's education to editing a journal, running a movie theater and working as a flagger in the Cascade mountains. He also worked with the Kettering Foundation, a global network of scholars and researchers, as an educational consultant to public schools and universities nationwide. He was once named one of the top 40 teachers in the country. But his main career was dedicated to the students and staff of Lake Superior State University. He began as the Dean of Students at LSSU in July 1969. Nearly thirty years later, in 1997, he retired from the university as the Vice President for Student Programs and Services. The Dr. Harry Pike Endowed Scholarship was set up in his name to honor his many contributions to the school and his constant support of LSSU Athletics. He was particularly known as a mentor to students and colleagues and upon his retirement from the college was awarded honorary alumni status. Harry was a passionate and talented golfer. He earned many trophies alone and with his treasured golfing friends and knew the details of every course he ever played. From 1971 through 1974, he coached the Soo's ESELCO Little League Team, once to an undefeated season and championship. He also read voraciously, including the entire Bible twice, and was a lifelong learner. He attended the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, volunteered with Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and served on the Sault Ste. Marie Country Club Board of Directors. He is survived by his wife Ruth Johnston-Pike, whom he married on March 29, 1980; three children: Philip (Leanne) Pike of Corvallis, Ore.; Laura Martin of Sekiu, Wash.; and Elizabeth (Mike) Visser of Kent, Wash; and six grandchildren: Emily (Geoff) Cassayre, Alexander (Elisa) Pike, Rachel (Walter Smith) Pike, Kevin Martin, Mackenzie Visser and Samuel Visser; five great-grandchildren and his sister Eleanor Morris of Grapeview, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lynn and sister-in-law Kay Marczynski, his brother-in-law Bill Morris and his first wife Linda Hicks Pike. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:30 a.m. on June 29 at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church with Father Sebastian Kavumkal as celebrant. Friends may gather from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the mass. Interment will be on a later date in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Dr. Harry Pike Endowed Scholarship (Dr. Pike Endowed Scholarship c/o LSSU Foundation, 650 West Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Online Donation: lssu.edu/give) or Hospice of the EUP (308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783).

Tributes

Harry Eldon Pike

September 10, 1934 - June 21, 2018