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Re: Wes Harkins

Posted: May 30, 2017, 6:54 pm
by Guest
While I never met or ever communicated with Mr. Harkins I can tell you that I always enjoyed his photographs. I know that many of them appeared in Eric Hirismaki's The Lakers 1950-59 and The Lakers series. What a wonderful time to have been alive as the postwar shipbuilding boom of that decade produced some of the best looking ships to ever sail the lakes. The photographs created by Wesley Harkins are among the best composed I have ever seen with each image seeming to have a life of its own. Over the years, I have viewed and collected thousands of images and I can quickly spot a Harkins print amongst a variety of work by other talented photographers. From various accounts I have heard of Mr. Harkins over the years, he had a very kind personality and is a true loss to our hobby.

Re: Wes Harkins

Posted: May 28, 2017, 4:24 pm
by Guest
I'm very sorry to hear of Wes' passing and I want to extend my sympathies to his family and friends.

Wes was very kind to send me pictures of the John Sherwin in the early '90s when I was building a model of her. I'm deeply appreciative of his kindness.

Re: Wes Harkins

Posted: May 28, 2017, 10:10 am
by mn brett 1962
My Sympathy's to You Al,and Jerry Lawson and Davis Helberg who were all close friends to Wes!,I have had the privilege to sit in with the ROMEO's a few times and Wes,Gil Porter,and Dick Bibby ,who were all so gracious to let Me sit in and enjoy there knowledge and Story's I enjoy so much! They lived a good long and full life!
mn brett ( Brett Larson)

Wes Harkins

Posted: May 27, 2017, 7:53 pm
by Al
It is with great sadness that I pass along the new that my friend Wes Harkins of Duluth has died at age 96.

Wes was marine editor for Skillings Mining Review for several years in the early 1950s, covering the launching and sailing of numerous new vessels. He later became safety director and public relations director for Fraser Shipyards in Superior. He was noted for his skillful photography using large-format film. Most of all he was a sincerely nice and humble man.

I certainly shall miss him.