Harris Bunker Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan Obituary

Harris Bunker

Harris Franklin Bunker, age 24, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, after complications from an extended illness at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He had battled a rare blood disorder, aplastic anemia, and had received a stem cell transplant earlier in the year. Harris was the loving son of Frank and Melissa Bunker of Grosse Pointe Woods. He was the dear brother of Amalia Bunker and Amanda Carroll. He also was the beloved grandson of Gladys Chipoco. He also is survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nephews, a niece, cousins, and friends he cherished as family. Mr. Bunker was in the second year of his economics PhD program at the University of California - San Diego, where he was interested in public finance and applying information science to the study of economics. Versant in several computer languages, he had selected UCSD in order to study with experts in the fields of public finance and econometrics. "Economics was a field of study filled with competing expert opinions, but data made economics into a science," Mr. Bunker would say. He wanted to advance the understanding of how best to best apply a nation's resources to achieve policy goals. Mr. Bunker was a proud product of the Grosse Pointe Public Schools, starting with Mason Elementary and then Parcells Middle School. He graduated from GP North High School in 2015. Mr. Bunker was a recipient of the Michigan State University Alumni Distinguished Scholar Award, a full, four-year, competitive scholarship for undergraduates. At MSU, he was a Social Science Scholar and an Economics Scholar. A proud Spartan, he closely followed football, basketball, and other Big 10 sports, but most of all, appreciated the camaraderie of students, faculty, and graduates. Mr. Bunker graduated with two degrees from MSU in spring 2019, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. As part of his work as an Economics Scholar, he enrolled in graduate-level classes while at MSU. He also studied as an undergraduate at the University of Zürich in Switzerland and had served as a summer research intern at Columbia University in New York City, where his work contributed to a published study, "The Effects of Head Start on Children and Parents' Health Outcomes." Among his passions was Quiz Bowl, an academic competition for high school and college students. He served as captain of the team at GP North and at MSU. He continued to participate in competitions and to mentor students at UC San Diego. Mr. Bunker also was a valued member of the international Quiz Bowl community, writing and editing tournament question packets, moderating competitions, and recruiting new players. He competed in tournaments across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Even during his 10-month struggle with aplastic anemia, Mr. Bunker thought of other people. He wanted everyone to become aware of rare blood illnesses and what they can do to help. He encouraged his peers and all young adults ages 18-35 to join BeTheMatch Registry, which matches donors and recipients for bone marrow and stem cell transplantation. The registration procedure consists of a simple cheek swab. He also asked members of the community to donate whole blood, platelets, and plasma to the American Red Cross. Harris and the entire Bunker family are grateful to the tremendous care he received at Henry Ford Hospital. Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 28 from 3-8 p.m. at Chas. Verheyden, Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. Mr. Bunker will lie in state Friday, October 29 from 12:30 p.m. until the time of his Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church, 438 St. Antoine Street, Detroit, MI 48226. Interment will be Monday, Nov. 1 at Mt. Elliott Cemetery in Detroit, a ceremony for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to bethematch.org or the American Red Cross, redcross.org/donate. Those who knew Harris are invited to share a memory at Verheyden.org.
March 28, 1997 - October 19, 202103/28/199710/19/2021
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Harris Franklin Bunker, age 24, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, after complications from an extended illness at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He had battled a rare blood disorder, aplastic anemia, and had received a stem cell transplant earlier in the year. Harris was the loving son of Frank and Melissa Bunker of Grosse Pointe Woods. He was the dear brother of Amalia Bunker and Amanda Carroll. He also was the beloved grandson of Gladys Chipoco. He also is survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nephews, a niece, cousins, and friends he cherished as family. Mr. Bunker was in the second year of his economics PhD program at the University of California - San Diego, where he was interested in public finance and applying information science to the study of economics. Versant in several computer languages, he had selected UCSD in order to study with experts in the fields of public finance and econometrics. "Economics was a field of study filled with competing expert opinions, but data made economics into a science," Mr. Bunker would say. He wanted to advance the understanding of how best to best apply a nation's resources to achieve policy goals. Mr. Bunker was a proud product of the Grosse Pointe Public Schools, starting with Mason Elementary and then Parcells Middle School. He graduated from GP North High School in 2015. Mr. Bunker was a recipient of the Michigan State University Alumni Distinguished Scholar Award, a full, four-year, competitive scholarship for undergraduates. At MSU, he was a Social Science Scholar and an Economics Scholar. A proud Spartan, he closely followed football, basketball, and other Big 10 sports, but most of all, appreciated the camaraderie of students, faculty, and graduates. Mr. Bunker graduated with two degrees from MSU in spring 2019, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. As part of his work as an Economics Scholar, he enrolled in graduate-level classes while at MSU. He also studied as an undergraduate at the University of Zürich in Switzerland and had served as a summer research intern at Columbia University in New York City, where his work contributed to a published study, "The Effects of Head Start on Children and Parents' Health Outcomes." Among his passions was Quiz Bowl, an academic competition for high school and college students. He served as captain of the team at GP North and at MSU. He continued to participate in competitions and to mentor students at UC San Diego. Mr. Bunker also was a valued member of the international Quiz Bowl community, writing and editing tournament question packets, moderating competitions, and recruiting new players. He competed in tournaments across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Even during his 10-month struggle with aplastic anemia, Mr. Bunker thought of other people. He wanted everyone to become aware of rare blood illnesses and what they can do to help. He encouraged his peers and all young adults ages 18-35 to join BeTheMatch Registry, which matches donors and recipients for bone marrow and stem cell transplantation. The registration procedure consists of a simple cheek swab. He also asked members of the community to donate whole blood, platelets, and plasma to the American Red Cross. Harris and the entire Bunker family are grateful to the tremendous care he received at Henry Ford Hospital. Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 28 from 3-8 p.m. at Chas. Verheyden, Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. Mr. Bunker will lie in state Friday, October 29 from 12:30 p.m. until the time of his Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church, 438 St. Antoine Street, Detroit, MI 48226. Interment will be Monday, Nov. 1 at Mt. Elliott Cemetery in Detroit, a ceremony for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to bethematch.org or the American Red Cross, redcross.org/donate. Those who knew Harris are invited to share a memory at Verheyden.org.

Events

Oct
28
Visitation
Thursday, October 28 2021
03:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Chas. Verheyden, Inc.
16300 Mack Ave.
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
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Oct
28
Visitation
Thursday, October 28 2021
03:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Chas. Verheyden, Inc.
16300 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
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Oct
29
Funeral Mass
Friday, October 29 2021
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church
629 Jefferson
Detroit, MI 48226
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Oct
29
Service
Friday, October 29 2021
01:00 PM
Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church
438 St. Antoine St.
Detroit, MI 48226
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Nov
01
Interment
Monday, November 01 2021
10:00 AM
Mt. Elliott Cemetery
1701 Mount Elliott Street
Detroit, MI 48207
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