Edward Roberts Harris

Edward Roberts Harris, 85, of Annapolis and formerly of Edgewater, died June 1 at the Ginger Cove Health Center. He had Alzheimer's disease.

Known as "Ed" and "Skip," Mr. Harris was born on November 23, 1918, in Toms River, N.J., and received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1940 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He worked in Boston with the Submarine Signal Co., working on anti-submarine sonar equipment. When he left the company, he was assistant chief engineer.

Subsequently he became assistant section head at Chance-Voight, a division of United Aircraft Corp., where he supervised 125 engineers in the development of aircraft and missile flight control systems.

While assistant chief engineer of the Norden Division of the company, he supervised the development of new products such as special airborne controls and sonar, navigation and other instrumentation systems for military markets.

Mr. Harris became president of Marine Systems Corp. of Florid in the marine design business with emphasis on commercial hydrofoils. Under his leadership, the company successfully designed and constructed these boats. He personally made the sale of the first publicly licensed submerged hydrofoil in the free world.

He was a member of the Congregational Church in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., the Chebeague Island Yacht Club, the Chebeague Golf Club, several historical societies, Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Mass.

His interests included music, golf, sailing, bridge, reading and English history, The family enjoyed many years at their summer place in Maine where they were golfers and sailors.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Banger Harris, whom he married Feb. 7, 1947; one son, Stephen Pascal Harris of Chebeague, Maine; one daughter, Gail McConnaughhay of Annapolis; two stepsons, Donald Elliott of Mount Dora, Fla., and Charles T. Elliott of Stewarttown, N.H.; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ginger Cove Friendship Hall, 4000 River Crescent Drive. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to UNICEF, UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.