Dr. Harry Withers Huffaker

Dr. Harry Withers Huffaker, a retired dentist, died of natural causes on January 29 at his home in Hailey, Idaho, with his sweet dog, Ruby; his life partner, Barbara Kline; and his friend of 82 years, Dr. Michael Fenlon, at his side. He was 86.

Harry was born on December 27, 1939, in Long Island, New York, the second son of Melvin Simpson Huffaker and Dorothy Perkins (Dufo) Huffaker. The family moved to Grosse Point, Michigan, a year later, where Melvin Huffaker practiced law, and Dorothy was a homemaker.

After graduating from Grosse Point High School, where he excelled at swimming, Harry attended the University of Michigan, swimming on their elite 1957-1959 swim team and graduating as an American Swim Champion. He was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He continued his education at the University of Michigan Dental School, graduating in 1966. He remained an avid UM, Go Blue, alumnus for the rest of his life. Everywhere Harry went while wearing one of his many Michigan caps, he would hear, “Go Blue” bringing a twinkle to his eye and smile to his face, often followed by a lengthy football and Michigan story. After graduation from UM Dental School, Harry moved to the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, to practice dentistry.

Harry lived an extraordinary life at an extraordinary time moving to Hawaii shortly after statehood. After two nearly-successful swims across the 21-mile English Channel each of which ended just short of the French coast due to hypothermia, Harry happily began swimming in the warmer waters of Hawaii challenging himself to cross channels that had previously remained unconquered.

Harry faced scary night swims, sharks, jellyfish, massive ocean swells, and extremely strong currents during unprecedented swims in the tropical waters of Hawaii as he conquered the major channels of the Hawaiian Islands. He became a famed Hawaiian Island marathon swimming pioneer showing great perseverance and courage. The capstone of his swimming career was his induction in 2002 into the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame and in 2011 into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame at the United Nations Building in New York.

After these marathon swims, Harry always showed up the next morning at his dental practice ready to work, with a smile on his face and a story to tell. He volunteered on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the island of Molokai where many with Hansen’s disease, commonly known as leprosy, were segregated. Harry swam the channel between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai—three islands, nineteen miles, with only brief rest periods--as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Rotary Club to benefit Hawaiian youth.

He was honored for his solo swims between the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii and mentored young swimmers along the way. Many swimmers said that Harry’s influence not only made them the swimmers they became but also the persons they became in life. “Dr. Huffaker is an example of all that is admirable and unique in the sport of swimming,” pronounced Steve Munatones, founder of the World Open Water Swimming Association.

Harry was also an avid sailor, sailing solo from Tahiti to Oahu. He ran numerous marathons, such as the famed Hawaiian and Boston marathons. He helped develop the original Ironman Triathlon held in Oahu in 1978, specifically working on the swim segment of the race. After 30 years practicing dentistry in Hawaii, Harry retired to Ketchum, Idaho, to pursue his love of mountain sports, skiing, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and fishing. He traveled extensively from the Himalayas to Antarctica and all parts in between, and along the way, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro.

At the end of the day, what he cherished most were the friendships he made all over the world and maintained throughout his long, eventful life. Harry was respected, loved, and deeply admired for his spirit, generosity, grace, and determination while overcoming many obstacles. It is hard to imagine a world without him. His unending supply of jokes and good humor, his compassion, his quick smile, and his gentle laugh will remain with us always.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date after his remains are scattered in Hawaii in the ocean fronting the Outrigger Canoe Club and in Idaho on Bald Mountain. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mountain Humane Society in Hailey, Idaho. More on the life of Dr. Harry Huffaker. “Living Life to the Max: The Incredible Life of Harry Huffaker” - Daily News of Open Water Swimming.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family in the guestbook section below.