Obituary of Erskine Elliott Harton

Erskine E. Harton, Jr. 97 of Roanoke died Sunday, October 16, 2016. Mr. Harton was born in 1919 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He earned a B.S. Degree in Chemistry at Geneva College and a M.S. Degree in Organic Chemistry at the University of Wyoming. Erskine also did graduate studies at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Utah. Other residences, included Evanston, Illinois, Laramie, Wyoming, Grandview, Missouri and Roy, Utah. Mr. Harton served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. Having graduated from the Naval School of Oriental Languages and Officers Communications School he served as a communications specialist. In addition to tours with the Navy, Mr. Harton worked in research and development for Midwest Research Institute, U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Pure Oil Company. He worked in safety management with the U.S. Air Force Air Munitions Wing and NASA, where he attained the position of Acting Director. At the U.S. Department of Transportation he worked in the National Highway Safety Administration and then in the Materials Transportation Bureau. At the time he retired from the U.S.D.O.T. in September of 1979, Mr. Harton was Acting Assistant Bureau Director. From his retirement, until moving to Roanoke, he was a professional safety and hazardous materials consultant. Mr. Harton was active in a number of professional and technical societies, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and USA Dance, Inc. (formerly the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association). Erskine was devoted to his family and dedicated to faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He moved with his wife to the Roanoke area in 1994 from Falls Church, Virginia. He was predeceased by his wife of sixty years, Nancy F. Harton. He is survived by daughter, Juliette Harton of Seal Beach, California; and son, James Harton and wife Cecile of Richardson, Texas; grandchildren, Tracy Harton and wife Andrea of Portland, Oregon, Karen Suderman and husband Alan of Midlothian, Va. and Eric Harton of Syracuse, New York; great grandchildren, Adalyn Harton, Dean Suderman, and Vera Suderman; and niece Carole Dalesandro of Beloit, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Mission Committee of Westminster Presbyterian Church in America, 2216 Peters Creek Road Roanoke, Va. 24017. Mr. Harton had a real concern for new members and was very much interested in missions and shepherding. He served a number of years as a Ruling Elder. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2016 in Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church. The family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707