On another occasion, Harry was alerted to children smoking in the bushes behind his school.  He handled this well.  Borrowing from his earlier experience with the girls.  He filled a bucket with water, and added some toilet paper.  He then quietly snuck up to a smoke engulfed bush and dumped the bucket on it.

His action was greeted with screams and shouts.  Harry pretended innocence and told the kids that he didn't realize that anyone was smoking.  He said that he spotted the smoke and thought that there was a fire.  He told them that he dipped a bucket into what he thought was the nearest water source, a toilet.   Harry explained in all seriousness:  "I had no idea that there were people behind those bushes." 

On still another occasion he discovered that some of his smaller children had removed some of the air duct covers underneath the school building. Evidently some of the children thought it would be fun to spend their recess time exploring them.  It didn't take Harry long to use his unique manner to bring duct exploration to an end. He met with several classes and he told the children stories about giant carnivorous rats that lived in the heating ducts.  He also told them stories about the children that crawled under his school and have never been seen again.

Harry's approach to education was unique, and he always managed to get results.

Harry's humor didn't just stop at work.  He loved little pranks,

He would sometimes enlist his friends into participating with him in his little games. He once had me pose as a person from the "Psychic hotline" and call a friend.  He provided me with abundant personal information.  He had me give her what were supposed to be winning Bingo numbers.  This prank sort of back fired, the lady played the numbers and (according to Harry) won $100.

Harry and I, along with several other people in our community, served together in the Army Reserve.  We would carpool and enjoy each others company while traveling to our Reserve Center in South Portland.

Lorrie (not her real name) was a new member of our group.  She and Doc Harry traveled together from Rainer to St. Helens.  Lorrie, being new, didn't know any of us. New meat was all Harry needed.  He decided that I would be the butt of his newest joke.  He conspired with Jim and Sue (our other two riders). 

"Lorrie" Said Doc Harry.  "You had better be careful when you're around that Eagle guy."

"Why is that?" asked Lorrie

"The man is a wife beater and a serial rapist.  He's free only on a technicality, so you had better make sure that you are not alone with him." said my good friend.

I could not figure out why Lorrie was so unfriendly.  She would give me these strange looks, and clutch her purse closely to her chest.  At the same time the other members of our carpool would smirk and give us both strange looks.

Jim would joke with me saying "Hey Bill have you beat your wife lately."

I would respond with a "you bet, she likes it"

Harry and Sue would also join in, adding details about using rubber hoses and the various tricks that they used so as not to show marks. 

I had no idea that Lorrie thought we were serious.

It was a strange situation and would have continued had Lorrie not made a point of carrying a loaded large bore pistol in her purse.  Not only did she have a large pistol she decided that it was about time for me to know that she was not afraid to use it.   This quickly brought our joking to an end.  She scared the hell out of me, and she scared Harry enough to make him want to tell the truth.

Shortly after that Lorrie stopped commuting with our group.

Doc Harry: a man whose mind is like lightning, and whose conversation is filled with interesting patter. "Did I ever tell you guys about the time that I saw Big Foot?"
"No Harry, you never did." we answered

"Well, it was like this…." said Harry.

My friend Doc Harry is a real person; he is smart, brave, and compassionate.  He loves a good story and I am most pleased to have him for a friend.