Jerry B. Harvey
November 14, 1935 ~ August 1, 2015
Jerry B. Harvey, PhD
Jerry Harvey passed away on August 1, 2015, of complications from Parkinson's disease and congestive heart failure. He was born in Austin, Texas, on November 14, 1935. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Texas, and remained an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns. He married his beloved wife, Beth, on August 4, 1962. Hewas the loving father of Scott Harvey and Suzanne Harvey (deceased). Jerry was a Professor Emeritus of Management at the George Washington University. During his career he also served as a consultant to a wide variety of industrial, governmental, religious, military, educational and charitable organizations. He authored approximately 50 professional articles, and two books, "The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management" and "How Come Every Time I Get Stabbed in the Back, My Fingerprints Are on the Knife? " He is also featured in several videos and a short film focusing on organizational behavior, including "The Asoh Defense," "The Gunsmoke Phenomenon," and "The Abilene Paradox". "Taking a trip to Abilene" has become a widely recognized metaphor for unproductive group behavior. Jerry lived an extraordinary life and his academic, professional, and personal accomplishments were all grounded on a bedrock of honesty. He advocated telling the truth to everyone (especially oneself), which he practiced with his unique blend of humor and compassion. He touched many lives and shaped them for the better. In addition to his wife and son, he will be sorely missed by his daughter-in-law Matilda; his brother-in-law James Wilder and his wife Virginia; and a host of former students, colleagues and friends. Visitation will be held at McLean Baptist Church on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00, and a funeral on Saturday morning at 11:00, also at McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Virginia.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McLean Baptist Church, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Jerry Harvey passed away on August 1, 2015, of complications from Parkinson's disease and congestive heart failure. He was born in Austin, Texas, on November 14, 1935. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Texas, and remained an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns. He married his beloved wife, Beth, on August 4, 1962. Hewas the loving father of Scott Harvey and Suzanne Harvey (deceased). Jerry was a Professor Emeritus of Management at the George Washington University. During his career he also served as a consultant to a wide variety of industrial, governmental, religious, military, educational and charitable organizations. He authored approximately 50 professional articles, and two books, "The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management" and "How Come Every Time I Get Stabbed in the Back, My Fingerprints Are on the Knife? " He is also featured in several videos and a short film focusing on organizational behavior, including "The Asoh Defense," "The Gunsmoke Phenomenon," and "The Abilene Paradox". "Taking a trip to Abilene" has become a widely recognized metaphor for unproductive group behavior. Jerry lived an extraordinary life and his academic, professional, and personal accomplishments were all grounded on a bedrock of honesty. He advocated telling the truth to everyone (especially oneself), which he practiced with his unique blend of humor and compassion. He touched many lives and shaped them for the better. In addition to his wife and son, he will be sorely missed by his daughter-in-law Matilda; his brother-in-law James Wilder and his wife Virginia; and a host of former students, colleagues and friends. Visitation will be held at McLean Baptist Church on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00, and a funeral on Saturday morning at 11:00, also at McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Virginia.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McLean Baptist Church, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Dear Jerry, We miss you. I particularly miss our long discussions. May God take care of you in the afterlife. In grief … Prabir
Jerry Harvey was my MBA thesis advisor at GW about 40 years ago. He expanded my view of original research which served me well over the years and impressed me with his honesty and pleasant working manner. I was fortunate to see him several more times during my career as he presented professional enrichment programs at The World Bank. I treasure the fond memories!
Beth and Scott, we are so sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was so bright but also funny. I have such fond memories of Jerry. May he be with The Lord in Peace.
I was deeply sorry to learn of Jerry’s passing. I met Jerry when I was a PhD student at GWU in the late 1980s. For several reasons I was not ever able to take a class form Jerry — but I read all of his articles about management and business and was intrigued. I always thought “acceptance of responsibility” was an important thing for managers and leaders. I also thought about the crazy-ness of how people “operated” in organizations was important for managers and leaders to understand — and why that was the case. Jerry was a character, but what a brilliant character he was. I will be forever grateful for him being my friend and mentor, and for his great humor and insight to the many, many management and business students I taught over a 20-year period. Thanks, Jerry, and here’s to seeing you again in heaven in the future. Your friend, Joe Mitchell, PhD 1989, GWU
I have wonderfully conflicting memories having studied under Jerry in the mid ’70s MBA program. He never failed to stimulate, challenge, infuriate and educate all of us who had the pleasure to work near and with him. Godspeed Kevin Colgate
I was fortunate to have Dr. Harvey as one of my professors at GWU. As part of my Healthcare Administration Masters degree, I was required to take some management courses and was delighted to attend everyone of Dr. Harvey’s classes. I have shared his handouts with many junior officers during my military career, the “Abilene Paradox” being one of my favorites even today. RIP, Dr. Harvey.
Beth, it has been many years since we worked together in the Office of Chief Counsel, but I wanted to let you know I was thinking of you at this difficult time.
One of the Best Faculty members in the School of Business,who I speak highly of all the time.Always smiling…. RIP
I was fortunate to serve as dean of the GW Business School when Jerry was a member of the faculty. He was a wonderful teacher and and a valuable member of the faculty. He was always available to share his insights about how the school could be improved. I learned a great deal from him and It was an honor to serve with him.
I remember Dr. Harvey with great fondness and respect. I was in a GW masters program in the early 80’s and over the years saw his management observations/theories appear and prove themselves over and over. Oddly enough, I was thinking of him only days before he passed away, and in particular, a project I did for his class. It was a board game which tried to incorporate various management parables he had shared with us. Amazing to still be thinking about it 35 years later and retired. He was the best teacher I ever had, and the only one I remember so fondly. I am so sorry for your loss.
I was just going to write to my old friend through the years since 1981 to keep my sanity and he’s no longer available. What’ll I do now. I synchronicity am a GWU BA’50 Latin-American Culture and Civilization. However, it was as a speaker that I met him when he addressed the Data Management Association in 1981. The subject was Eichmann in the Boardroom. That speech was the beginning of many telephone conversations and email through the years. He really did keep me the way I am and I’m grateful. He made me like my own brain. No one tells me what to read and says you’ll love this. But he did. He told me to get this little book which was beautiful BADENHEIM1939 and he said you won’t be able to put it down. I thought humph. But I bought the book and remember staying up all night in bed because I couldn’t put it down. Then he told me to read Eichmann in Jerusalem. That did it for me for the rest of my life. He also explained The Managerial Grid to me which I was anticipating participating in a couple of months in 1981. I think besides him I’m the only one in the whole USA who says I am not a “Human Resource”. I refused to vote to fire myself and did it successfully. I am PERSONnel. Those two books are Human Resources. I introduced both those books, to the Jewish community in Dallas TX and they thanked me. It was done under the supervision of an attorney who understood the culture in Dallas. It was like getting the Nobel Peace Prize for me. It turns out I lived in Garland TX from 1990-2005 and he was from that area in the first place. I am now a combo DC’er and Dallasite. I wanted to take him to lunch in 2005 but I simply couldn’t travel to DC because I was getting too old. And now when I desperately need him well…..
I only “met” Jerry once, but he was one of those special people who make a lasting impression on you. It was in the 1985-87 timeframe. I attended a seminar and workshop Jerry taught for the Huntsville Division of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. That was over 30 years ago, but two things have stuck with me ever since. One was his article “Organizations as Phrog Farms.” The other was something he said that has become a touch stone for me. I’m paraphrasing, but it was something like, “As you grow older, one of the biggest secrets to being content in your life is to become de-illusioned rather than disillusioned.” I’ve not only drawn on that wisdom countless time, I’ve shared it with my children, other family members, and friends. In that small way, Jerry will live on.
Jerry was my mentor during my Ph.D. program at GWU and supervisor for my dissertation. He was one of the most honest and supportive person I have ever known. There were moments during my dissertation where I would walk away in tears but always came around to knowing he was pushing me to be my best. I stayed in touch with Jerry after graduating in 1992. We would have conversations every few years. I just went to call him today since it had been two years since we last spoke and discovered that he had passed away a few months after our last conversation. I am so sad to not hear his voice anymore and to not be able to talk with him. Thank you Jerry for all your support over the years. Your presence is still missed and you are still influencing those who knew you.