Daniel Drury "Slim" Harkins

Harkins, Daniel Drury "Slim", 85, passed away August 24, 2015 at Friendship Village of Dublin. Dan was an inspiring storyteller, a thoughtful family leader and a faithful friend. He had an extensive and innovative career in international and domestic business during which he forged lasting friendships around the world. Always forward thinking, his business initiatives in Europe were well received, so in the 1970s he was able to penetrate markets in Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and China. On behalf of his company, he established direct commercial relations in the People's Republic of China and received the first American corporate invitation to attend the Export Commodities Fair in Kwangchow in 1974. While his business career required extensive travel, his family's formative years were spent abroad with him in Paris and Cologne. In the 1980s Dan and Marge owned a beer distributorship in Columbus with an emphasis on microbreweries, well before the microbrewery market broadened. Dan had a tremendous aptitude for languages and was fluent in Portuguese, French and German. A master communicator, he never missed an opportunity to share his passion for learning with those around him. Members of his family fondly remember opening their mailboxes to discover his delightful letters, which were carefully worded, full of thoughtful messages and a healthy dose of dignified humor. Dan embraced circumstances in his life with intellectual curiosity and a desire to enrich the lives of those around him. He delighted in the education of his children and grandchildren reminding them, "Your education is precious. It is the one thing no one can ever take away from you." Never caring about material possessions, Dan cherished his relationships and was present in our lives. Fascinated by history, he graciously taught us to value our gift of freedom. He collected maps and restored furniture. He was a devoted Buckeyes fan. Dan was a graceful athlete and gracious sportsman who excelled in cross-country and alpine skiing, swimming and running. From the pool table to the cribbage board he was a tough opponent bringing out the best in all of us. His grandchildren remember Poppa as an exceptionally kind and thoughtful man, who, with a twinkle in his eye, took an interest in all they did. Dan was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 2, 1929. He graduated from the Dwight School, New York City; Ecole Lemania, Lausanne, Switzerland; Free University, Berlin; Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts and Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management, Phoenix, Arizona. He served honorably as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He is preceded in death by his parents, Commander Daniel Joseph Harkins and Ella Drury Harkins, and grandson, Harrison Harkins. He is survived by Marjorie Conger Harkins, his beloved wife of 57 years; son, Daniel Conger Harkins, Springfield, Ohio; daughter, Diane Drury Harkins Modesett, son in-law, David Modesett and granddaughters, Helen and Jacqueline Modesett, all of Houston; son, Timothy Tanner Harkins, daughter in-law, Holly Harkins and grandsons, Henry and Hunter Harkins, all of Carmel, Indiana. Internment and a memorial service will be in Castine, Maine. Friends may join Dan's family in celebrating his life on October 2, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at the Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH. With gratitude Dan's family thanks the staff of Friendship Village of Dublin for their dignified and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dan's memory to the ski team fund of Williams College, Williamtown, MA 01267. Arrangements by CONROY FUNERAL HOME, Springfield, OH. Condolences to www.conroyfh.com.