Stanhope, Harry William

Harry William Stanhope, 86, of Concord, passed away quietly, surrounded by family Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis. He was born the son of a farming family on the "downeast" coast of Maine, in the town of Robbinston. Harry was a 1955 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering. He started his working career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company designing rubber components for farm machinery. Eventually, Harry was hired by Celanese Corporation, later Hoechst Celanese, where he worked for over 25 years. He was internationally known as an expert in the technology of reinforcing rubber with polyester fiber which allowed development of such products as radial car tires and reinforced rubber conveyor belts for mining and warehousing industries. Harry developed new products and traveled extensively throughout the U.S.A., Asia and Europe, providing technical support to Celanese customers. He held six patents in the field and retired as a Senior Research Associate. Harry was committed to raising his two sons, David and Mike, and was a very active leader in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He spent a lot of time working on pinewood derby cars and at Tuesday night swim meets. He was there for Elisabeth during her high school years, supporting her cheerleading at Friday night games and weekend competitions. Harry's passions included woodworking, gardening and outdoor activities like fishing, camping and hiking. His love for the outdoor life spent on the farm in Maine never left him, and every summer the family would load up the car and return there to help out. Harry's love for the land, and his many skills as a woodsman even led to a Concord public access cable TV show appearance where he explained proper chain saw use. Later in life, Harry's greatest passion was working daily in his garden. He was a master gardener, and in 2017, was awarded The Grand Oak Award for his leadership, generosity, dedication and loyalty by the Cabarrus County Extension Master Gardner Volunteer Association (EMGVA). Over his retirement years he raised and donated many dozens of Lenten roses (for which he was especially known for), gave away hundreds of pounds of beautiful tomatoes, and built and donated hundreds of bluebird houses with his great friend, Joe Hutchens. Harry is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jean Harwood-Stanhope of Concord; sisters, Anne Rider of Winston-Salem and Harriet Burke (Alan) of Skowhegan, Maine; brother, Richard Stanhope (Jessie) of Glenburn, Maine; sons, Michael (Donna Latham) of Atlanta, Ga., and David (Jeni Cunningham) of Apex; grandchild, Michelle Campbell (Kenzie) of Greensboro; stepchildren, Kelly Harwood (Anna) of Mt. Pleasant, and Elisabeth Bryson (Scott) of Honolulu, Hawaii; stepgrandchildren, Blake Harwood (Kristen), Ben Harwood, Lane Bryson, Ashley Bryson and Luke Bryson; and beloved golden retriever, Buddy. Harry was preceded by an infant brother, Gray; and parents, Harry Edward and Marion Gray Stanhope of Ridge Rd., Robbinston, Maine. Due to current circumstances, a private memorial service for immediate family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, 1701 S. Main St., Kannapolis, NC 28081; and Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Lady's Funeral Home Crematory www.ladysfuneralhome.com