Dear Uncle David Thank you for being you. Unashamedly. For always making us smile and roar with giggles, no matter what the occasion. What a gift to light up a whole room with laughter. I’ve always admired your mastery of that skill. Deacon of the Hammermen. I remember asking “Is that a real thing?” more than once. Your surreal tales seemed surely like you’d made them up or at least generously embroidered them. But just like Bob Mortimer on ‘Would I Lie To You’ it was ALWAYS (unbelievably and hilariously) true! I can’t believe I won’t chat to you again. I’m not going to learn more obscure facts about steam trains. I won’t mummify you in toilet roll at my birthday party. And I’ll never sit on your foot clinging onto your calf with my sister on your other leg, both squealing with excitement as you somehow manage to slowly walk across our grandparents lounge. Maybe I never will believe it as you were always so very alive. I will always miss your energy and mischievous stories. Family gatherings will never be quite the same again. I hope you are resting in peace without pain now. Your eldest niece Katie xxx PS - I wrote this in my notebook sat on a bench on the beach at Bardsea the week following your death. It was a bright and sunny but bitterly cold day when I first sat down and almost immediately it began snowing heavily. For the first time since I’d heard the news you had gone I had peaceful surroundings (the beach was totally people-less aside from myself) and could finally be alone with my thoughts. The notebook then vanished at home before I’d had chance to type it up and I’m not sure quite why but it felt important that I find it and contribute my original thoughts rather than attempting to plagiarise what I might have written. I remember your thoughts on plagiarism! Anyway, better late than never, though I understand if you grade me down.

Professor David Harrison was my supervisor during my PhD, and he is the reason I managed to achieve it despite the many challenges I faced. He always supported me and welcomed my children during our meetings. Now, I work in a university and I am the head of my department, I always make an effort to treat those around me with the same positive attitude that David showed me. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing; he was a supporter of all students from various cultures. My children and family are also very upset about his loss. He was truly one of the best supervisors I have had throughout my academic journey.

I am devastated to say that I have only just heard this sad news. David was one of the panel who recruited me to the EPC, which he served so well and so long, as Executive Director. He was always so kind and supportive and I am very sad to learn this news. It's so fitting that the Hammerman prize has been re-named in his honour. Rest well, David. Rest well.

i knew David in his early years at college we decided to do the Bsc mech eng degree together and both left work .Without David i would not have got my degree. We studied together and when i had to do resits in my 2nd year he spent the summer helping me.We used to think we were mature students but was only 23. Had nothing in common as hobbies outside but were best of friends,lovely lad,always remembered used to have different pockets for different things, thinking of Gill and the family

Dear David, You made our world a better place. You shaped my life in such a positive and inspiring way - you were always so kind and supportive and told me about the importance of family. I will always remember your wonderful personality and the wisdoms of life you taught me. I am infinitely grateful to you. Thank you very much for bringing so much joy to our world. Love, Kira

David was such an amazing person, a unique friend, and colleague. He is simply irreplaceable. I feel blessed to have known him and work closely with him. I will miss him dearly

I was shocked and saddened to hear about David’s passing. I first met David when we worked at Staffordshire University thirty years ago and over the years we met up many times at conferences and meetings and in the last four years as members of a Board of Governors. He was a kind and generous man and his contribution to Higher Education was immense. I feel very fortunate to have known him and I will miss his knowledge, insight, wisdom, humour and wit.

Only a recent friend of David but even in the short time l knew him, l learnt much about UK signalling that just was not available in books ! A great loss to the signalling fraternity. Our yearly meet up at the end of February with N.M. and a fish supper all round was always a highlight. Very fond memories and my condolences to all the family. Andy.

It speaks volumes to the person David was that he was still making his best attempts to come to my doctoral supervisory meetings even until a few months ago. He was able to turn something complex into something simple and understanable, and his obvious and abundant experience immediately put you at ease. A real gentleman, I'm sure that I am just one of many hundreds of students that can attribute some of their success to David.

I have worked and known David since last century, we have worked on a whole range of different projects in the University and with Industry, we always found something amusing in every situation. He had a fantastic ability to cut through bureaucracy, i will attempt continue this mission in his honour. He helped many of us get to where we are today and will never be forgotten. He was a great colleague, he became a great friend and is an even greater loss.

I remember working with David during my PhD and getting his wise advice, often over a cup of tea. My German family met David during the graduation ceremony and the lunch that followed. My mother is still very impressed by David and we are all very sad. We will never forget meeting David.

For more than 15 years, David served as the Secretary of the Engineering Professors' Council and was a much admired and beloved member of our community of academics. A memorial page has been set up on the EPC website where a number of his colleagues and other members of the EPC have posted their personal tributes: https://epc.ac.uk/article/tributes-to-prof-david-harrison-honorary-secretary-of-the-epc/

A true gentleman. David was one of my PhD academic supervisors, I greatly appreciated his wisdom, kindness and no nonsense feedback.

Inspiring person to work with. Always on the positive side, looking for growth and new ideas. We will miss him.

The incredible loss of David hurts us all very much! David was such a great personality! We miss him so much. I just want to say thank you, David, for all the wonderful moments, conferences and dinners and also the unforgettable Hammerman event with you and Bruce. David was great and warm personality that I will never forget!

We hope that you find this tribute to David a place of comfort, support and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

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