Arne Harris Obituary

all prayers go out to family and much love i just lost my grandmother 3 monthes ago so yes i do feel your pain keep god with and may he bless you

At this moment and time...please accept our thoughts, love and God's grace and mercy in your life. We will keep your hearts lifted up in our conversation to God...Love Uncle Bob & Auntie Myra.

Well, Arne, pitchers and catchers are en route to Mesa for the beginning of the 2002 season -- the first in my life that will not have you directing the WGN broadcasts. A couple of months have passed since the last entry to this GuestBook, so I wanted to take a moment and say to the world and all Cub fans that Arne Harris was THE BEST EVER and will NEVER be forgotten by Arne's Army of loyal fans and followers. From all accounts here, you were as good a man and a person/mensch as you were a director. We'll miss ya at HoHoKam and Wrigley! Especially this year, because THIS YEAR IS NEXT YEAR!!! A pennant in '02!

Your pal, L-dewd

Thanks for all the wonderful years of quality programming of the greatest game in the world. You and Harry keep a good eye on the game for us. OK? God Bless You...

Arnie was the best. Growing up in northern Indiana I watched Cubs games all the time. Arnie always gave the best camera angles to cover every play. In fact, sometimes I'd watch other baseball broadcasts like on the networks and notice mistakes they made. When you're used to the best, everything else just isn't good enough.



Arnie was as much a legend at his job as Ernie, Ryno, Walter or Michael were at theirs.

Although I never met him I feel as though I have lost a friend. The warmth and friendliness of his personality somehow shown through in his telecasts. There was just something so special about Cubs broadcasts on WGN. He and Harry are the reason I'm a Cub fan today. Now there are two angels watching over Wrigley.

The spirit of Arne Harris will be with me forever. I thank God for giving me the chance to not only know him, but to live out one of my childhood dreams and actually to work for him. He was a great friend and a generous teacher. There won't be a single day in the rest of my living years that I won't use a little bit of his knowledge about life that he gave to me. Knowledge about what it truly means to be a good man.



I just want to say in this e-mail, however far it may reach in the electronic world - See you later Arne Harris. I'll miss you. You were a true friend, an entertainer of souls - always making people feel good about themselves. I'll really miss you.

Arne made me become a Cubs fan. I grew up watching all of the Cubs games on television. The television shots were tremendous! I'll always remember the bleacher shots of the nice looking women on the warm days. I'll also remember all of the shots on Waveland Avenue when a Cub player would hit one out there. Arne will be sorely missed not only by Chicago fans, but from Iowa fans as well, especially since Arne went to Drake University in Des Moines. Arne, take care!!

My name is Ivann Greene. I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. I now reside in Roseville, CA.



As a kid growing up in St. Louis, I would always look forward to Cardinal games broadcasted on KMOX.



At the time, Harry was the voice of the Cardinals. He had a side-kick by the name of Jack Buck, who has gone on to become one of the games best broadcasters as well.



When Harry left St. Louis, I cried like a baby. I watched his career develop for the better.



When Harry teamed up with Arne, well the rest is history. Not only did Harry's career and mystique become legendary, Arne's technical innovations, made him a pioneer. For example, the centerfield camera which allows the viewer to see pitches over the shoulder of the pitcher - this was an Arne Harris innovation. Now there isn't a game broadcasted that does not use this camera angle.



In addition, his relationship with the broadcasters and crew was legendary all across America.



My eyes welled up with tears upon hearing of the passing of Harry; now the same holds true for Arne. My tears are not necessarily out of sorrow, but out of joy in that Arne and Harry are back together again.



Arne will be sorely missed!!!

I thought the Cubs TV broadcasts throughout the years were outstanding! Everytime I see

an old lady in Sarasota with a

dumb hat on....I'll think of Arnie.



Randy Pearson

Sarasota, Florida

Arne,



I can't believe you're really gone. Our view of the ballpark just won't be the same without you. The entire Cubs family, both in Chicago and across the world, misses you very much.



Take care pal,

John Pennington

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Thanks Arnie for bringing us so many memorable pictures. You and Harry and Jack and Lou are now back together...hope you guys are gonna help root the Cubs to a championship from upstairs.

Watching baseball on t.v. will never be the same...You were the best! Thanks to both you and Harry for making me a "Cub Fan and a Bud Man"...

Arne,



Thankyou you are the best.

Thanks for all of the pictures. The memories will never die.

It was a big shock to me to learn of Mr. Harris's passing. I was watching what I thought was a rain delay on WGN and they were discussing Arne, I thought he had retired. Well, now he is with God and directing the from the best location of all.



Mr. Harris, you will be missed.



Sincerely,



Ray Byke

Tempe, Arizona

Arne, thanks for making summers so special for this teenager in the '70s, which is when I became a fan. It beat watching the corn grow!



My condolences to the family.

Thanks for the memories, arne..

you will be sorely missed.



From one cub fan to another,

so long.

Arne, I have been a Cub since I was 9 years old. I am turning 60 next month. My mom used to bring me out to the ballpark as a child, but as I got older, I did not get to go as often since I was raising my family. I truly enjoyed all of the WGN telecasts with you and Jack, Harry, Steve, Thom, Ron and all the fun you brought to the telecast besides the most fantastic camera work. Hope you and Harry, Jack and my Mom who recently passed away are having fun up there.



My sympathies to your family.



Myra Friedman

Scottsdale, Az.

As one of millions of Cub fan's and Arne Harris fan's I'm grief stricken. I only know Cub games one way..... Arne's way. As I grew older and learned that not everyone in the World was a Cub fan (still hard to beleive)I also learned that not all telecasts are the same. Arne's style and mystique will long be remembered as will the light hearted banter with Jack, Harry, Steve, Chip etc.. Arne made the "hat shot" a part of the telecast because it's part of baseball and Wrigley. I hope this doesn't come across in poor taste but I think it would be said if Chip or "Stoney" could get through it: I'll assume the bill was on the table when Arne passed away... his only way to ensure Chip picked up the tab.

God Bless Arne's Family, God Bless America & Go Cub's



A friend he never met

I've been a Cubs fan for a little more than 40 years. Arne has made it a little easier to get through the Cubs lean years. He made us feel like we were at the game, not just watching on TV. Our loss is Heaven's Gain.

Having been away from Chicago for 28 years and just recently having begun to receive WGN via satellite, there was a big WGN/Arne Harris gap for this Die Hard Cub fan since 1953. While I never met him, Arne came across as the Cub fan who wanted all Cub fans to enjoy the games just as he did. We will all miss him.



To the Harris family - May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing.



Lou Harris

We have lost the greatest baseball TV producer in TV history. I consider my time with the Chicago Cubs as a coach in the 1970's more special knowing Arnie and visiting with him often. I extend my sincere condolences to the Harris family. We miss you pal. Jack Bloomfield

Gone, but never will be forgotten. Now heaven can enjoy Cubs games just as we did.

After all the years of watching the Cubs and hearing your name, losing you is like losing a family member. So long, pal. I'll really miss you.

R.I.P.

Baseball may be a business but Arne made it personal and very enjoyable. His classic "Hat Shots" and the Lake views are things you just don't see on the major networks. The camera on top of the scoreboard really brought a new angle on the game. He was the Greatest. The stories that he, Jack and Harry are sharing now are priceless. RIP Arne.

My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Harris and the Harris family. As a lifelong Cub fan, I always appreciated Arne's gifts. Arne's perspective was the fan's perspective. From the wonderful "hat shots" to his keen sense for where the action was going to be before it occurred, Arne was a visionary and set the standard for sports broadcasting excellence. I never met Arne personally, but because of his broadcast presence, his loss is the loss of a member of the family.

For many years via WGN I have been a Cubs fan. Hands down the production has been superior to any other network. It takes great skill to produce a sport like baseball. Arnie was like a member of the family and I never met him and only saw him shown on TV a few times. But that's what made Cubs games produced by him so great to watch. You felt comfortable and part of the game. I especially miss Harry and Arnie having their always amusing discussions. You couldn't hear him, but in a way you really did. He'll be missed.

Joe Carr

Jonesboro, AR

Harry, Jack and now Arne. There will be great Cub broadcasts in Heaven.

No one in local or national broadcasting ever made it more enjoyable to watch baseball than Arne and the crews he directed. Besides the hat shots and lake shots and innumerable trips to "the library" with Stoney, Arne had an intuitive sense of the game--what was important and what to focus on at any particular time. We will miss him and we wish all the best for his family.

Even though I have moved to Las Vegas, Chicago is still my hometown.I will miss all your broadcast for the beloved Cubs but knowing that I grew up learning to appreciate the baseball experience here in my Chicago, all I can say is"THANK YOU FOR GIVING SO MUCH AND ASKING FOR SO LITTLE!!" I will miss your hat shots.... GOD BLESS!!!!

Arne touched us all....at least those of us who really loved baseball and the Cubs. He touched us up for money to pay for dinner, as well. Sometimes you would see him with a cup at the Cubby Bear asking for donations to the Steve Stone Dinner Fund. God Bless Arne and his family...he will be missed so much.....

Arne

I come from a family of die-hard cubs fans and just wanted to say thank you for bringing us all of the great years you gave to this team and for bringing us the games in Richmond, Va. My mom cried like she was one of your best friends, so I know you touched so many others throughout this country. We will surely miss you, and maybe you can get together with Harry and bring us some majic next year.

All my love, Buddy.

Thanks Arne for all the great memories of The Cubs & Wrigley Field. Watching the games back here in Atlanta always made me very homesick for Chicago. I think you made those of us watching games from all over the country feel like we were just around the corner. You were part of the reason that Cubs fans are the best fans in all of baseball.

I grew up in Kenosha Wis and was watching Cub games since 1962. I would always remember the words Produced and Directed by Arnie Harris. I moved to Florida in 1974 and lost WGN for a few years. When we finally got cable, it was great to hear about Arnie Harris agian. Arnie, you made watching the game on WGN almost as much fun as watching it at Wrigley. You did a great job and will be missed. My condolences to the Harris family.

Just want to say Arne your death came as a shock to me. We hardly saw you on television, but the crazy hat shots, boat shots, the shots you took of Lake Michigan etc., were priceless. It's what I love about watching the Cubs. Thanks, Arne. You were the best and still are.

Thanks Arne for all the great telecasts that you made. Alhough you were seen very few times on

WGN we all knew you were there. I never got the chance to send you a thank you letter for signing an autograph for me when I sent the letter asking for it so I want to say thanks. Although I am only 14 I will always remember the fond memories of Arne Harris. God Bless you Arne.

A life-long Cub fan, I went to a Cub-Dodger game in LA and stopped by the TV trailer and was graciously invited inside by Arne who showed me all around and introduced me. A wonderful man!

Arne, you made WGN Cubs broadcasts the standard in the industry. I grew up in Glenview, IL watching the Cubs and you're one of the reasons I always will.

For my 21 years on this earth I have been a die-hard Cubs fan. The fact that I lived in the Milwaukee area I was unable to go to Wrigley Field more than twice a year. So I watched every game on WGN, and thanks to Arne Harris that was a very enjoyable experience. Thanks Arne and you will be missed.

I have never seen a Cubs game on WGN-TV over the airwaves in Chicago, only on cable. But I have always felt that, unlike other superstations, the WGN coverage of Cubs Baseball talks to fans as if they were just around the corner from the ballpark and not clear across the country. "The folks from Nuts on Clark are here." "There's our old friend ......" The "hat shots", The Seventh Inning Stretch. You felt like the Cubs were your hometown team. I have to believe that was, in large part, to Arne's leadership. He'll be missed.

Watching the Cubbies without Arne's lake shots just won't be the same. My condolences to the Harris family. May memories of Arne bring you comfort.

You changed the way the world watched baseball, and the Cubs.



Thanks, Arne. We'll miss you.

Your inovative and creative thinking towards broadcasting baseball will never be duplicated, but what will be missed the most is the playful and happy manner in which you've done them.

A great job.

You will be missed. There will never be another Arne Harris.

You could tell the geniune respect that Jack, Harry, Steve, Chip, Josh and all the rest had for Arnie. He was baseball television for years and he will be sorely missed. I bet he and Harry are up in heaven sharing a Bud and still hating Steve's cigars! May God bless and keep you in your time of mourning.

God bless.

-Dan

Thanks for the memories from a diehard fan. You brought the cubs to life to all of us who could not go always to the friendly confines

Thanks for the memories my man.

The Cubs games on WGN won't be the same without you. We will miss you.

The way the guys in the booth talked about Arnie, I always felt I knew him, too, and could laugh along with the inside jokes. And every time the camera showed some beautiful young woman in the stands, which I always assumed was an unspoken Arnie staple, I knew Arnie was smiling along with me. Thanks for the good times.

I'm 25 and have watched the Cubs on TV in Omaha, NE, and at Wrigley Field while I schooled in Chicago, since I was 12. The spring/summer soundtracks of half my life have been produced and directed by Arne Harris. Thanks Arne.

For as long as I have been alive I have loved watching the Cubs. Moving from Chicago and watching other teams play really showed me what a fabulous job Arne did in broadcasting the Cubs. Whose white shoes will we pick on now?

ARNE YOU WERE THE BEST. I'M A GOOD FRIEND OF RON SANTO AND HE ALWAYS TOLD ME HOW GREAT YOU WERE.YOU WILL BE ALWAYS BE IN THE HEARTS OF CUB FANS.

Thank You for the memories

arne and the cubs. kept me going. no matter what my problems are and they are many i could always sit back and watch my cubs with Harry steve and Arne. If there is a baseball game in heavem jack,harry and arne is running the game.

Mrs. Harris,

I just wanted to say hi and to let you know that I am just one of million or so Cub fans that made Arne part of our lives year after year bringing Cubs games into our homes as no one else could have done or will ever do. My thoughts are with you and may God bless.

Arne - Thank You for your many years of producing Cubs baseball and other Chicago sports. During my recent hospital stays Cubs baseball always lifted my spirts. We will miss you. God Bless...

Baseball has lost one of it's visionaries. The way he directed his crews and the shots that they ended up with sometimes was often time dramatic and entertaining. I am a long time Cubs fan and because of the work that Arne presented to the watching public my wife became a fan. I will miss hearing his name during the games.

I began watching Cubs baseball in early 60's growing up in Chicago and have followed it on WGN as I moved around the country. Arne Harris became synonomous with Cub games. They will never be quite the same again. Thanks Arne.

Thanks. My first Cubs game was Fergie Jenkins vs. Juan Marichal. Santo, Kessinger, Beckert & Banks. Billy Williams, Jim Hickman. Randy Hundley. Joe Pepitone hit a home run into the left-center field bleachers to lead the Cubs to a 4-1 victory over Mays & McCovey. Arne made being a Cub fan just a natural part of growing up. Thanks again!

Arne was the greatest at what he did.he will truely be missed by many.but he will allways be with us.

I just remember the name. It was always there throughout every one of those great Cub broadcasts, when I was growing up in Chicago.



I remember how many times he was thanked by the many Cubs' broadcasters, and the signature camera angles, which remain in use today.



It's just a name to me...but, you never know how much a simple name can impact your life.



Go in peace.

Arne- Thanks for bringing the Cubs into the heart of a young boy growing up in Chicago. I couldn't wait to turn on the Cubs every day and when I actually went to Wrigley it was even more exciting because you let us see the whole park and the surroundings. From Banks to Sosa you brought our heroes into our homes in your own unique way. Watching baseball elsewhere has never been the same as it is on WGN. You will be missed, but you are with your friends now. Maybe you, Jack and Harry can bring us a world chamionship from above!

To the man who's well correographed pictures of a game, a ballpark and a team will be remembered by many for years to come, I say thank you and may you rest in peace.

Arne, up there you'll be able to see more hats...

Arne

Thanks for making the Cubs what you did for ALL of Us... Now there are 3 Harry; Jack and You Maybe between The 3 of You You Can make a Miracle for Us ALL God Bless You and Thanks for the Memories

My wife Syl and I have enjoyed years of your amazing camerawork and as fodder for memorable Steve and Harry stories. You'll be greatly missed. I don't see how any cameraman can fill your shoes. We feel like we know you personally.

Thanx for everything, Arne.

Arne, you're the best! Don't let Harry call your cigars cheap up there!

Thanks, Arne, for all the great memories and showing us around the country who watched WGN the glory of Wrigley Field and making us a part of the action even if we aren't there in person. We will miss you greatly. You and Harry and Jack can help the Cubs win that championship now.

Arne, you brought me to baseball one lazy summer afternoon in 1987 as a misty-eyed 8 year old. I watched in amazement as Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson played their guts out for the worst team in the league. Since that day, I've been a fully devoted Cubs fan. Thanks for bringing me to the Cubs Arnes. God Bless You and Your Family.

Arne was simply the best at what he did and brought so much joy to so many people over the years he did Cubs baseball on WGN. My thoughts and prayers are with the Harris family and I wish to say thank you to them for sharing their husband/father with the rest of us, He was a tremendous man and will be greatly missed by us all.

Arne, I hope you are up there with Harry and Jack and my diehard cub fan mother who passed away a year ago going over all the past Cub seasons. I enjoyed all the stories Harry and Chip and Thom told us on air about you......it tickled me. Your coverage of the games was fantastic....all the camera shots, etc. Hopefully up there you can direct us into a world series. May God bless your family and keep them safe.

Arne:
I grew up with the Cubs and after living in GA for nine years we are finally back home. I couldn't wait for the games. I have always considered the broadcasts a very personal experience. Thank you for making me feel as though I was there even when I wasn't. You will be greatly missed. My thought and prayers are with your family and friends. We all know the Cubs have even more help from up above now. Thanks, pal for all the great memories.
Sincerely
A Cubs Fan Forever,
Tammy

THANKS ARNE - WE'LL MISS YOU - YOU &

HARRY ENJOY!!!

May God bless you all with His love and Grace. Thank you for sharing your husband, father and grandfather. We will miss Arne alot.

TO PUT IT SIMPLE, HE WAS "THE BEST". NOW HE CAN SIT BACK WITH HARRY AND JACK AND ENJOY A COLD ONE AND WATCH THE CUBS WIN IT ALL, NEXT YEAR.

Arne,

You were the number one conductor of the world's most amazing concert. Thank you for all that you added to the Cubs throughout the years. Without you, many of the fond memories that I recall in my past would just be baseball games. You were the best, and will be missed by all.

Saumil Sheth

God bless Arne and his family! Take care!

Arne-



You brought the magic of baseball to me at a very young age. Everyday after school I used to run home everyday after school to watch the Cubs, and you made that possible. You will be greatly missed. Thanks for the memories!!!



Chad (Cubs fan for life)

arne you were the best director i have ever seen. what i'll miss the most are all the hat shots and all the people that you showed while directing cubs games. you tried selling the ballpark and what a stroke of genius that was. thanks for the memories.

Arne, miss you, pal.

Arne we will miss you, even though I never really saw you, you were the one and only Arne that anyone knew. If they could associate with one Arne it would be you even if they had never seen you before. We have heard your name mentioned so many times on the broadcast, even we want to know who paid for last night's dinner. It won't be the same without you, pal.

Dear Arne,



Ya did real good. I always enjoyed the "hat shots" and I hope the tradition continues. Tell everyone up there how much they're missed and to help God guide us. One day, the Cubs will win it all and you'll look at God and God will look at you and simultaneously, you'll both say, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!"

We were shocked and deeply saddened with the news of Arne's passing. Loving baseball and watching many different games on television it was easy to distinguish an Arne Harris broadcast from the others. I didn't realise this until I caught myself saying "I wonder why they don't show the same camera shot that we see on the Cubs games." I understand now it was because they didn't have Arne Harris at the controls. I never met Arne but I do miss him. God Bless.

You will be missed by so many. Thanks for all the good years you have given us. You were such an asset to the Chicago Cubs organization. Thanks for all those wonderful shots during each Cubs game. May God Bless You.

Condolences to the Harris family. As a die-hard Cub fan for over 56 years, it seems that we are destined to always receive bad news. Watching WGN will never be the same. Every "funny" hat will always remind us of Arne. Thanks for the memories.

I was very saddend to hear the passing of Arne Harris. I had the good fortune of meeting him in person hours before he was taken away from us. I've heard many things about him before but when I saw him standing outside the WGN Truck I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to meet him. Unfortunately, that would be the last time I would have that opportunity meet him again. We won't forget him. Our prayers are with his wife Arlene and family.

I've been a Cub fan for over 60 years..the last 35 years in the Detroit area..thanks to Arne @ WGN I followed our beloved Cubbies through thick @ thin....mostly thin..He has to be with Harry now telling him how many player's names he screwed up over the last few years..Arne and his family have been added to my prayer chain

Chicago Cubs baseball will never be the same.

Arne Harris started directing Cubs telecasts when I was 14 years old. Even allowing for some of the horrible Cubs teams since then, Arne gave me literally thousands of hours of pleasure. In 1984 Arne was also kind enough to let me watch a game in 1984 in the WGN remote truck. I had written him saying I was about to teach remote video production at Miami University and I thought it would be great to watch Arne in action. Watching Arne direct was one of the memorable events of my professional life.

Arne,



I grew up in a family of Cardinals fans. My dad's cousin is actually Tim McCarver. When my family finally got cable tv in 1988 I began watching your Cubs broadcasts and fell in love with the team and the field. In the summer of 2000 I finally got the chance to come up to Chicago and see a Cubs game in person. Thanks to you, it felt like home. I knew what it was going to be like before I even entered Wrigley. Thanks for all the memories and your part in making me a Cubs fan. You will be missed.

Blessings to Arne's family. I have watched his telecasts for many years and loved how he brought the fans into the game. We'll miss you.

As a die-hard Cub fan since 1945 always appreciated the touches Arne dded to the telecasts.

Arne,

Been watching the Cubs play my entire life. It's not going to be the same without hearing the credits going out to you. Say hi to Harry for us!

My grandfather, who was a Cardinals fan, used to watch every Cubs game on TV, because 'They did it right'. Many thanks to Mr.Harris from me and my family who have enjoyed your work. May God bless you and your family.

ONE OF THE NICEST PEOPLE I HAVE KNOWN IN MY 25 SEASONS AS AN ANNOUNCER FOR THE DODGERS WAS ARNE

HARRIS. HE WAS ALWAYS PERSONABLE,

AND WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF THE

BEST BASEBALL DIRECTORS IN TELEVISION HISTORY. MY CONDOLENCES

TO HIS FAMILY.



ROSS PORTER

Although we met Arne only once, we knew him well through our son. We are deeply saddened by his death and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Harris family. Cubs baseball just won't be the same.

Arne,

Thanks for all the great broadcasts through out the years,you will be missed.



LARRR G