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The famous General Trexler Estate at 1227 Hamilton Street is among the best known residences in Allentown. Filled with ornate woodwork, leaded stained glass windows, comtemporary lighting and a grand entranceway, coming to the Trexler Home is a unique experience.

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Robert R. Harson
09/23/2014

Robert R. Harson died on September 23, 2014. He lived in Emmaus with his beloved companion of many years, Pamela West Ruch, horticulturist and garden writer. Robert was born in 1934 in NYC, Staten Island, served with the U.S. Army in Europe, graduated from Wagner College, and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. at Ohio University. Dr. Harson had been a professor of British and American Literature at Lehigh University for 29 years, retiring in 1995.

Formerly married to Ann Amari Harson, they were the parents of two sons, Neville, now in Colorado, and Court, in Montclair, New Jersey. He is the grandfather of three children. A sister, Joan McAloon, lives on, along with numerous other relatives.

At Lehigh, Robert published articles on Byron, Wordsworth, Mary Shelley, and others. Locally, he was active in community groups such as the Emmaus Film Society, East Penn Environmental Concern, Radprin, and 19th Street Theater. For ten years he led the book discussion group at Emmaus Public Library. He acted in community and college theater, performing Shakespeare to comedy to modern drama.

Robert’s ashes will be scattered in a simple ceremony. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at his home at 228 Cherokee Street in Emmaus on Sunday, September 28, from 1 to 4 p.m.