Obituary for Harry A Chamberlin
Harry A. Chamberlin passed peacefully on September 21, 2022 in Fort Smith, Arkansas
surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 12, 1938 to Harry
and Myrtle (Bessey) Chamberlin.Harry grew up in West Michigan graduating from Delton Kellogg in 1957. In high school Harry was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track. He also was a drummer in the
band and a real showman; Harry once demonstrated his juggling skills for his high school
talent show - while riding a unicycle. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart Gale Lammers. They were married 59 years and had 3 sons. Harry served in the US Navy and was a graduate of Western Michigan
University. He transferred to Fort Smith, Arkansas while working for Rheem Manufacturing, and
retired after 31 years with the company, where he was fondly known as Bigfoot. He was a
member of the Rheem Management Club. Following retirement, Harry was very involved with Habitat for Humanity, joining the building crew and traveling wherever he was needed. Harry and Gale’s son Bruce was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and they remained dedicated to St. Jude and the Make A
Wish Foundation. He was a 50 year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith. Harry was part of the “Monday Men” taking care of whatever the church needed. In their retirement, Harry and Gale enjoyed traveling, as well as entertaining friends and family at their vacation home in Branson, Missouri, where Harry served as president of the Foothills Condo Association. He also enjoyed woodworking, cards, and friendly competition on the golf course and basketball court. Harry could often be found shooting hoops in his driveway with neighborhood kids. He will be remembered as the fun Uncle to his many nieces and nephews
and could often be found clowning around with the kids. Harry was preceded in death by his wife Gale; their sons Greg, Jeff and Bruce; daughter-in-law Laura Dawson Chamberlin; brother Robert Chamberlin; sister-in-laws Maxine and Ramona Chamberlin, and Lois (Dennis) Gronewold.
He is survived by his brother Gordon (Joanne) Chamberlin of Michigan; brothers-in-law Bob
(Joan) Lammers and Ed (Bobbi) Lammers; many nieces and nephews; and close friends,
including David and Ann Honeyman and Jim and Sharon Winn.
Funeral services will be held on September 24, 2022 at 12pm at First Presbyterian Church of
Fort Smith. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the church. There will be a
private burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of
Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, AR.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box
1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148-0142, or First Presbyterian Church, 116 North
12th Street, Fort Smith, AR, 72901.
surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 12, 1938 to Harry
and Myrtle (Bessey) Chamberlin.Harry grew up in West Michigan graduating from Delton Kellogg in 1957. In high school Harry was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track. He also was a drummer in the
band and a real showman; Harry once demonstrated his juggling skills for his high school
talent show - while riding a unicycle. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart Gale Lammers. They were married 59 years and had 3 sons. Harry served in the US Navy and was a graduate of Western Michigan
University. He transferred to Fort Smith, Arkansas while working for Rheem Manufacturing, and
retired after 31 years with the company, where he was fondly known as Bigfoot. He was a
member of the Rheem Management Club. Following retirement, Harry was very involved with Habitat for Humanity, joining the building crew and traveling wherever he was needed. Harry and Gale’s son Bruce was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and they remained dedicated to St. Jude and the Make A
Wish Foundation. He was a 50 year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith. Harry was part of the “Monday Men” taking care of whatever the church needed. In their retirement, Harry and Gale enjoyed traveling, as well as entertaining friends and family at their vacation home in Branson, Missouri, where Harry served as president of the Foothills Condo Association. He also enjoyed woodworking, cards, and friendly competition on the golf course and basketball court. Harry could often be found shooting hoops in his driveway with neighborhood kids. He will be remembered as the fun Uncle to his many nieces and nephews
and could often be found clowning around with the kids. Harry was preceded in death by his wife Gale; their sons Greg, Jeff and Bruce; daughter-in-law Laura Dawson Chamberlin; brother Robert Chamberlin; sister-in-laws Maxine and Ramona Chamberlin, and Lois (Dennis) Gronewold.
He is survived by his brother Gordon (Joanne) Chamberlin of Michigan; brothers-in-law Bob
(Joan) Lammers and Ed (Bobbi) Lammers; many nieces and nephews; and close friends,
including David and Ann Honeyman and Jim and Sharon Winn.
Funeral services will be held on September 24, 2022 at 12pm at First Presbyterian Church of
Fort Smith. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the church. There will be a
private burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of
Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, AR.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box
1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148-0142, or First Presbyterian Church, 116 North
12th Street, Fort Smith, AR, 72901.