Obituary of Harry Melvin Courter

Harry Melvin Courter was born in October 1926. His mother was Ella Otelia Jacobus and his father was Harry Melvin Courter (senior). His childhood home was in Bayside, Queens, New York. He had two older sisters, Dot and Floss and a younger brother, Ralph, all now deceased.

When he was 18 years old in 1944 he was drafted into the Army. He did his basic training in Florida. He was sent to the Philippines. Then, after the surrender of Japan, he served in the occupation forces in Japan.

After his discharge, he went to college. He went to Samson College for 2 years then to Syracuse University. He received a degree in electrical engineering.
He started work at Sperry Gyroscope Division in Lake Success, Long Island, NY. He worked as an engineer in the design and development of sonar and radar systems for naval vessels. Harry retired from Sperry in 1986.

He married Ruth Jane Rieben in May 1952. He and Ruth built a house in East Norwich, NY and moved in during 1954. Ruth and Harry had four children: Jeanne Lynn; Deborah Cheryl, Wendy Ruth, and Harry Mark. Ruth passed away in December 2014.

Over his life, he played golf at various times. On his retirement, Ruth decided to learn to play too. Harry and Ruth played golf almost every weekday for almost 20 years when weather permitted.

Harry had many interests and was an avid learner and liked to share those hobbies with his family. Some of those interests were: golf, fly fishing, salt water fishing, model trains, roses, bonsai and collecting stamps, coins, sea shells, minerals, lapidary and antique tools. He read widely and studied many topics including Dutch history in the colonial period, genetics and history. Of special note was his and Ruth’s interest and efforts in stained glass. They made many lamps and decorative pieces for their home and as gifts for their children. They created lovely windows between their dining room and porch. Another major joint project was researching the Courter and Jacobus genealogies along with the Rieben genealogy. Harry was an amateur photographer from his time in Japan to his senior years. He enjoyed photographing trains, flowers and his lovely wife and his family.

In October 2022 Harry turned 96 years old. He continued to live in his home in East Norwich with the support of his children and his helpers until his death on August 10, 2023.

Visiting Oyster Bay Funeral Home, 261 South St., Oyster Bay, NY, Monday 9 a.m. with an 11:30 a.m Religious Service with Rev. Marjorie Nunes. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park. www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com