ARTHUR C. GIBSON, MEMBG Director
In May a memorial bench was dedicated for Daniel Harrison (1927 to ?2001) by his son Alan on behalf of his entire family. Daniel Harrison was born in Los Angeles and graduated with a B.S. degree from The Anderson School in 1949. That UCLA become transformed into one of the world's great universities during his lifetime made him burst with pride as an Angeleno, as a Californian, and as a Bruin. He was a great fan and supporter of UCLA athletics and took his wife Estelle and family to hundreds of basketball, football, and track events in the 1960s and 1970s, yelling, cheering, and 8-clapping each time. Three of his four children received degrees from UCLA.
Alan recounts that his father knew the environs of Westwood like an old friend and enjoyed touring people here. He watched The Village change from college neighborhood to artsy hangout to haute couture and back again, and enjoyed each phase without regrets.
Daniel Harrison was a brilliant, successful businessman and entrepreneur, but also was a man who enjoyed natural beauty, exercise, and the sheer joy that comes from a sunny day in the park. He would have loved the memorial bench site, alongside the lower stream. The place chosen is a great place to find peace or just enjoy the calming view of the stream. A visitor now may also take a look at the inscription on the bench and know that someone like Daniel Harrison was once in their shoes, too.
[A note on the Nancy Jo Livingston-Mills Bench...]