DURHAM, N.C. — Retired Duke sports radio play-by-play announcer Bob Harris died Wednesday, June 12.
The Hall of Famer was 81 years old.
He had been previously diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and been in hospice care and had raised more than $101,000 from more than 500 donations from a fundraiser since its launch in early 2023.
Former radio analyst Wes Chesson announced Harris' death in an update on the fundraiser that was created to raise money for his care.
Chesson posted that Harris passed away with his wife Phyllis “at his side, holding his hand.” Duke also released statements of condolences from retired Hall of Fame men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and athletics director Nina King.
Harris spent 41 years as the Blue Devils' radio voice for men's basketball and football before retiring in 2017.
That tenure included calling 1,392 men's basketball games, 13 Final Fours, and all five of the Blue Devils' NCAA championships (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015) under Krzyzewski.
Harris closed his tenure calling football games in November 2016 with 471 straight games, six bowl games, and Duke's trip to the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference football championship game.
“For decades as our radio play-by-play broadcaster, Bob told the story of Duke Athletics better than anyone," Krzyzewski said. "He was much more than an announcer to all of us. He was a family member who loved Duke and everything it stands for.
"We are so thankful that it was his voice that shared our journey each season with so many Duke fans worldwide. He was adored by so many of them. The Krzyzewski family offers our deepest condolences to Phyllis and their loved ones. It was my honor to call Bob my friend.”
In addition to his wife, Harris is survived by his daughter, Bobbi Harris-McCoy; son-in-law, Ron McCoy; and two grandchildren.