Martha Harmon, who was legendary for her institutional knowledge of UNMC and its policies and procedures, died Jan. 24. She was 81.
Harmon spent 37 years at UNMC, retiring in 2005 as Academic Services’ administrator and longtime secretary of the UNMC Faculty Senate. While at UNMC, she also worked in the Eppley Institute; physiology and biophysics, where she did cell cultures and clerical work; cardiology; the Creighton-Nebraska Neurology Department and UNMC’s Nursing Service Department of then-University Hospital.
The Council Bluffs, Iowa, resident was an invaluable resource to the campus community, including many Faculty Senate presidents. She began working as Faculty Senate secretary in February 1979, one month after the senate held its first organizational meeting.
“Martha Harmon was a UNMC icon,” said Joan McGovern, academic service coordinator. “Her institutional knowledge was extremely helpful as my mentor.”
Harmon’s tenure at UNMC was “beyond imagination,” she said upon retirement. “My goal was to pay the bills, but the people I have met are phenomenal.”
Following her retirement, Harmon worked for the Stephen Center and volunteered at General Dodge House and Lauritzen Gardens. She and her husband, Charles, were active in the Mayflower Society.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 7 p.m. at Roeder Mortuary, 108th and Maple streets. A memorial service is Friday at 11 a.m. at First Covenant Church, 201 N. 90th St. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to First Covenant Church or General Dodge House.
Martha was a rock – very helpful to us youngsters who thought we knew everything but definitely didn't. She will be missed.
martha was a wonderful person. She was invaluable when I was on the Faculty Senate, and when I was President – I could not have done the job without her.
What a great person. I worked with Martha from 1985-1996 and thru that working relationship we developed a friendship. I learned so much from Martha. She was very dedicated to her work and double dedicated to her family. She had a wealth of knowledge with the University system and policies. She was well loved by her family and will be truely missed. Sending heartfelt prayers to her husband Chuck, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.