Irving Harris

Irving Harris (1927-2023) Irving Harris, a lifelong member of the Cincinnati community died peacefully in his home on Thursday. He was 95. The cause was complications of cancer. Irving Harris loved his wife of over 72 years Selma Schottenstein Harris, his family, and his friends. He also loved life. He grew up in North Avondale as the son of Albert and Sadie Harris and brother of Bernice Harris Friedman. He enlisted in the Navy during the Second World War and served as a prison guard in Medford, Oregon. After the Second World War, he returned to Cincinnati where he met his wife Selma Schottenstein Harris from Columbus, Ohio. She was the love of his life from the moment they met. Every weekend he would drive to Columbus to see Selma. Selma and Irving married shortly thereafter on June 18, 1950. During his time in the Navy, his commander told him "Harris you should be a lawyer because you like to argue so much". His father wanted him to be a doctor, but he realized his Navy commander was right and after the Navy went to the University of Cincinnati Law School. Selma and he had three children, Jeffrey, Jonathan, and Lisa and lived in Wyoming, Ohio during their childhoods. Law school began a lifelong love of the law. He initially joined the firm of Cors, Hair & Hartsock in Cincinnati, Ohio. He later started the firm Harris & Harris with his son Jeffrey. He practiced law for over 60 years. His love of the law led him to practice not only as a corporate lawyer but also as a trial lawyer. He was proud that early on he represented accused German spies in the federal court in Cincinnati even though at that time it was not popular. He always said, "I was a lawyer and they needed representation". He was also the chief legal counsel for his wife's family business Schottenstein Stores and Value City Stores and did, along with his son Jeffrey, the acquisition work to acquire American Eagle Stores. He loved his family. He went to his children's and grandchildren's school and sporting events. When his only grandchild was born, even though it was difficult to travel, he chartered a plane to be at his naming. Irving Harris also loved tennis, skiing, and fox hunting. Those loves led to building a tennis court at his home and a home in Snowmass, Colorado. He and Selma were members of the Camargo Hunt Club. His love of fox hunting also led to numerous trips with his wife Selma to England for fox hunting excursions together. Later in life, he was part of the Recess Club at the Queen City Club. He loved the camaraderie of the club and looked forward to every Friday lunch and events. The members of the Recess Club were very important to him. As late as six months ago he was taking golf lessons and letting us know that he was loving that his game was improving. Irving is survived by his wife Selma, his son and daughter Jeffrey and Lisa, his daughter in law and son in law Susan Cutler Harris and Dewey Hollister, his grandchildren Ammon Hollister, Jenna Harris, and Jason Harris, his grandson in law Dillon Teske, his great grandchild Rowan Harris Teske. He lived a vibrant life with a great sense of humor and a fighting spirit. He told his family three weeks ago when he was strong enough that "I loved my life". He will be dearly missed by all. Services will be held on Monday, January 9th, 2023, at Weil Kahn Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45249, beginning at 11:00AM, with visitation held for a half an hour prior to services. Friends who would like to join in virtually may livestream, please click the link to join in https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/embed_viewer/83242 . Memorial contributions may be made to the Cincinnati Zoo in Irving's honor.

Tributes

Irving Harris

May 23, 1927 - January 5, 2023