Dr. Ronald Keith Harris

Ronald was born in Neptune, NJ to the late Audrey and Jesse Harris. He devoted his life to being a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a gifted and compassionate surgeon.

Ronald was a 1963 graduate of Manasquan High School. He graduated from Upsala College, East Orange, NJ, in 1967. Dr. Harris received his Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College in 1971. He did his surgical internship and residency at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City, NY. He was Board Certified in General Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Harris interrupted his surgical training when drafted to serve in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1975. He was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Guam.

Dr. Harris moved from New York City to Fredon Township when he joined Schmidt-Fletcher Medical Associates in 1978. He merged his practice with Surgical Associates of Sussex County in 1993. Dr. Harris practiced surgery at Newton Memorial Hospital for 42 years, during which time he held multiple positions including Chief of Surgery. He was a member of the Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation, and held memberships in the New Jersey Society of Surgeons, the American Medical Society, and the New Jersey Oncology Society.

Ron practiced with compassion and sincere concern for those in his care. He took a genuine personal interest in each of his patients. He valued sitting and getting to know his patients and their families. His philosophy was that the best care comes not just from exceptional skill and attention to detail, but from listening to his patients and providing continuum of care.

Ron adored his wife Helen and was devoted to his children. He always worked hard to balance his demanding career with his precious family time. He instilled in his children the value of hard work and the importance of unconditional family love.

Dr. Harris retired in March 2020. He loved being outside in the sun, landscaping his gardens and keeping up on endless yardwork. He enjoyed his nonfiction history, reading many books that he had never had time for during his busy career. Ron was previously a member of the Newton Country Club and loved golfing and taking golf trips with his friends. He enjoyed fishing with family and friends. Some of his favorite times were spent on the beach with his grandchildren, and admiring the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. In his retirement, Ron discovered his talent for cooking Italian food and seafood. He loved a good Italian dinner out with family and friends. Ronald was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, where he previously served as an Elder.

Dr. Harris was predeceased by his son, Keith, in 1983. He is survived by his wife, Helen Satterthwaite Harris; his daughter, Kimberly Greiner and husband, Michael, of Philadelphia, PA; his daughter, Skye Hawk and husband, Nathan, of Lehighton, PA; and his son, Jonathan Keith Harris and wife, Katie, of Oakland, NJ. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Anna and Daniel Hawk, and Bradley and Jesse Greiner; and his brothers, James “Jimmy” Harris and wife, Nadine, of Delaware, and Gerald “Jerry” Harris and wife, Brenda, of Florida.

Dr. Harris received excellent care at both Newton Medical Center and Morristown Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations are requested to the Keith W. Harris Memorial Fund at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Newton Medical Center or Morristown Medical Center.

Visitation is from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High St, Newton, NJ; interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.