Guyana Graphic and staff mourn the loss of an outstanding Guyanese Dr. Kinglsey Ormonde Harrop-Williams. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife, family, friends and colleagues.
Dr. Kingsley Ormonde Harrop-Williams (aka K.O. Harrop) was born on December 12, 1947, in Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, Guyana, and grew up in Smythfield, Guyana. He was the son of Edric Christopher and Adelaide Olivia (Pereira-Jardin) Harrop-Williams. He married Lynette Gibson in 1975 and they had three children, Kingsley, Tippi, and Cher. After graduating from Berbice High School and working as a clerk at Transport and Harbors Department in New Amsterdam, Kingsley came to the USA in 1970 on a three-month student visa, which he extended as he went to night school at City University of New York. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and top of his class in civil engineering and got a fellowship for a Master’s degree at City University and later a full scholarship for his Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Kingsley was a very devoted son who recognized the hardship his widowed mother faced in Guyana. Although he had no green card for six years, he worked at minimum wage jobs to pay for his tuition at night school and to send money to her monthly. This she used wisely to keep her from being evicted from the land on which she lived, to buying it. He became a Permanent Resident in the USA in 1976 and immediately proceeded in sponsoring his mother, sister, and brothers.
Career-wise, Dr. Harrop-Williams was a lecturer at the City University of New York, a Civil Engineering Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and at George Mason University; a Civil Engineer with the US Air Force and the US Navy. He was also a consulting Civil Engineer to projects in the private industry, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the US Army, and NASA. He was a Professional Hydrogeologist and registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. Dr. Harrop-Williams was the Grand Prize Winner of the National Library of Poetry 1995 North American Open Poetry Contest. He was listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World, 1989-1990, and is listed on the Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island as the pioneer immigrant for scores of US citizens. Kingsley was one of the first financial contributors to the building of the Martin Luther King Memorial, the African American Museum in Washington DC, Rensselaer 2000 Fund, and New Amsterdam Special Needs Playground. Dr. Harrop-Williams wrote two books ‘Poetry of KO Harrop’ in 2013 and ‘Intrusions of Chance’ in 2016. He also published 30 technical articles related to soil mechanics and engineering.
Kingsley truly lived his life to the fullest. He was always humble and never stressed his qualifications. He reached people in a deeply positive way and left a lasting impression in the heart of those he met. We can look back and clearly see the trail he left behind. To us, he was so much more. A man unlike any other who brought levity, love, knowledge, and laughter. Kingsley told the funniest John and would often hear the words “you missed your calling” from his friends. We are sad, but our souls are settled because we know he was.
Kingsley has his father Edric, his mother Adelaide, his grandmother (Avoo), his brother Tony, and his sisters (Nemmo and Gwenie) wilting in Heaven with open arms to welcome him.
To cherish his memories, he leaves: His loving wife Lynette, his sister Monica Henry (husband Ulric), brother Clarence, children Kingsley Harrop-Williams Jr (wife Christy), Tippi Parson (husband Tyrone) and Cher Marquez (husband Jorge); grandchildren Tyrin Williams, Marcus Williams, Darian Harrop-Williams, Gabrielle Harrop-Williams, Elizabeth Harrop-Williams, Logan Harrop-Williams, Ethan Marquez, Jordyn Marquez, William Parson, Anayah Parson, Nia Parson, and Kamyri Parson; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of loving relatives and friends.
