CLOVIS, Calif. — Harrison E. Madden passed away Jan. 8th in Clovis, Calif. He was born May 19, 1924 to Clyde E. Madden and Martha Kaufman in Hoisington, Kansas. Upon graduating from Hoisington High School in 1942, he went to work for Boeing on blueprints for the B-29s. Despite the deferment for his work, he joined the Army Air Corps and eventually went to India where he served at Panagarh.
Using the GI Bill, he attended the University of Kansas, earning four degrees, culminating with a doctorate in psychology. While there, he met, courted, and married Maxine Alburty (Maxine Madden-Spencer) in 1952. They were a dynamic duo who had four children.
The Maddens moved to Fresno in 1956 where Harrison served as a professor in the Department of Psychology at Fresno State. He taught his last course in 2001. In the interim, he was chair of the department three times and served as assistant dean in two divisions. In the 1960s and 70s, he helped develop the Experimental College and also had a private practice in Fresno.
During summers and semesters off from Fresno State, he worked for the University of Maryland teaching psychology and political science at U.S. military bases around the world. He eventually spoke seven languages. He and his second wife, Criss Wilhite, continued traveling until 2016.
In 1991, he moved to Oakhurst, where he lived with Criss until he died. Harrison was a man with an open mind and loving heart. He was a life-long learner who appreciated all the universe has to offer. He wrote four books on psychology and on the human quest.
He is survived by his children, Kurt (wife Katy), Derek, Marsha, and Craig (wife Stacey Marolf); and his step-children, Chelsea Wilhite (husband Wayne Walsh), and Carson Wilhite. His is also survived by nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren as well as his sister, Hazel Sherwood, and brother Michael Madden (wife Wanda). He will be missed by many.
The celebration of his life will be held Sunday, March 4th at 12:30 at his home on the Fresno River in Oakhurst.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations may be made to the Criss Wilhite and Harrison E. Madden ABA Graduate Student Scholarship at Fresno State (select “Other” and enter the name of the scholarship): https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1692/GID2/blank.aspx?sid=1692&gid=2&pgid=548&cid=1273&sitebuilder=1&contentbuilder=1.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 28, 2018
