The family of late M-A teacher Sam Harris hosted a celebration of life at Laurie Meadows Park in San Mateo on Saturday. Former students, coworkers, friends, and family members showed up, many bringing their dogs to play with Harris’ beloved dog Oliver.
Many spoke about Harris’ dedication to his students and loved ones and his passion for music and education. California State Senator Josh Becker, a former M-A parent, spoke about bonding over politics with Harris, who taught government and U.S. history.
“He had this love for the richness in life through music, writing, books, and politics, and he made people feel understood because he was vulnerable. He showed every side of himself without feeling like he was being judged,” Harris’ brother, Charlie Harris, said.
“On the first day, we connected because he liked Radiohead and I already knew he was going to be a cool-ass guy,” senior Brooke Fehrenbach said. “He fostered a really friendly environment in the classroom and I always wanted to come to his class.”
Harris’ parents, brother, and childhood friends recalled joyful memories, including his second-grade performance of MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This,” which he practiced non-stop.
“We did a lot of mischievous things as kids and we loved to talk about it even when we were adults. We would TP houses, rollerblade, and go into his deep backyard. Life gets tough but we always rally behind those memories,” another childhood best friend of Harris, Renae Chambers, said.
Harris’ family set up pictures of him in his youth around the park as well as a book for attendees to write messages to his family in.
“The thing I love most about Harris’ was his openness to the world, change, acceptance, and striving to be a good person,” Michael Lucero, one of Harris’ childhood friends, said. “You could talk to him about whatever you wanted and he would always take interest in that.”
Harris’ parents said they chose to host the event in the Bay Area, where Harris lived, instead of Fresno, where he grew up, because of the impact he had on so many local community members and Bay Area students.
