Harold Gordon Washburn ’59

Harold Gordon Washburn ’59 died on May 3. He entered Dartmouth from Phillips Exeter Academy, majored in philosophy, and was a member of Gamma Delta Chi. Harry was a baritone saxophonist and played with the College’s premier jazz groups, including the Barbary Coast and the Sultans. He was described in 1959 as “one of the finest saxophonists on any campus.” Following stints in the Army Reserve and with CBS television, he received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1966 and worked for the advertising firm Benton & Bowles. In 1976 Harry was a founder of Wallace & Washburn, a management consulting and market research firm. In 1999 he was the coauthor of Why People Don’t Buy Things. Describing his career path, he said, “I have worked in the Army, CBS television, advertising, and market research. I have achieved higher and higher positions in smaller and smaller companies until now I have the satisfaction of being CEO of myself.” Harry taught business courses at Harvard extension school, enjoyed photography, motorcycles, and model trains, and had a lifelong devotion to the baritone saxophone, playing in a number of jazz ensembles. He leaves his wife of more than 30 years, Diane, children Todd and Caroline, and four grandchildren.