Joseph Wadie Harb, MD

Harb, Joseph W. MD Longtime Knoxville physician and businessman Joseph W. Harb, MD, died October 3, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 80. Born in Knoxville in 1934, Dr. Harb graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1956 after attending both Knoxville and Fulton High Schools. At U.T. he was named Torchbearer, President of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity, Outstanding Senior, and Co-editor of the Volunteer annual. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and cherished his friendships with his brothers. Dr. Harb was fortunate to earn a living doing what he loved. He graduated from the U.T. College of Medicine in Memphis in 1960 and was President of his graduating class. Prior to completing his residency in internal medicine he served two years in the United States Air Force in Japan. He then began his medical practice in Knoxville in 1967. He was beloved by his patients, and he loved them as well. Through the years, Dr. Harb served Knoxville’s medical community in several capacities. He was President of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine, Chief of Staff of St. Mary’s Medical Center, and medical director of the 1982 World’s Fair. He retired from private practice in 1985, at which time he became Knoxville’s City Physician, and he and his wife, Mary, opened Harb's Oriental Rug Gallery. The son of immigrants, he was proud of his Palestinian heritage. He was also a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, where he served as an usher and chapter member. Dr. Harb was immensely proud of the three children that he and Mary raised. They are: son Dr. William (Bill) Harb, his wife Tara and their children Kennedy and Mason of Nashville; daughter Michelle Walter, her husband Bruce, and their children Allison & Natalie, of Raleigh, NC; and daughter Denise Canada, her husband Ben, and their children Tucker & Blythe, also of Raleigh. His children will remember him for the things he loved: buying and selling antiques, reading the newspaper, eating desserts, and watching sports. He knew almost everything possible about baseball, especially concerning historic Brooklyn Dodgers teams. He also seemed to know people everywhere he went, and was a wonderful friend who shared his time and medical knowledge generously when his friends needed him. Dr. Harb was preceded in death by his parents, W.J. and Alice Harb of Knoxville. In addition to children and grandchildren, survivors include sisters Eleanor Harb Marine of Ft. Wayne, IN, and Charlene Harb of Nashville; brother Jim Harb and life-partner Laurel Goodrich of Knoxville, and many dear cousins in the Knoxville area. The family will receive friends at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday October 6th. Funeral services will be held 3:30 pm Wednesday, October 7th at St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Interfaith Health Clinic of Knoxville (315 Gill Ave Knoxville, TN 37917). Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Joseph Wadie Harb, MD

October 25, 1934 - October 3, 2015