Dustin Harker crossed the veil as a beloved husband, father, brother, son, nephew, cousin, friend, mentor, and doctor on Friday, June 9, 2023, during a rafting accident out of Canon City, Colorado with his local church youth group. He is our hero, and we so look forward to reuniting with his resurrected perfect being when the Savior comes again and brings him back to us. We know this time is not too far distant. For now, we are very much comforted by his ever-near spirit.
The rafting incident was certainly unexpected to all on this side of the veil, but we are confident that the Lord planned this. If the Lord had consulted with Dustin ahead of time, Dustin may even have acknowledged the perfection of the exit scene. He was allowed to leave doing one of his favorite things with some of his favorite people, and as a hero (similar to some of his favorite movies) since we believe that he was the one who with God’s help lifted the raft off of Cami. His family and his relationship with Christ were absolutely the most important things in his life, followed closely by the stewardship he felt keenly for his patients. He refused to turn his practice into a production machine and always insisted on having the time he needed to collect the information necessary to correctly diagnose and help his patients. He was a stickler for accurate and detailed notes of the present as well as careful reviewing of the past. God gave him an amazing brain and a great sense of responsibility. It was not unusual for him to come home with cards and gifts from patients. What a blessing it was for him to know that his efforts were appreciated.
His wife of nearly 25 years (Emilie Maria Neu Harker) is certain of his love and trust and feels him in her heart now more constantly than ever. He left a beautiful legacy in his 13 children (Dillon Blair 23, Ammon Levi 21, Jarom Douglas 20, Clara Kathleen 18, Matthieu Thomas 17, Ayden Charles 15, Camille Lydia 13, Aurora Ilona 12, Ella Maria 12, Charlotte Sophia 10, Elias Brook 7, Samuel Jonathan 6, and Samantha Grace 4). He loved spending time with them, and their well-being was always on his mind and guiding his major life choices. He connected with many in their married life wherever he was planted be it Provo, Utah for university where he and Emilie met and married, Ohio for medical school, West Valley/Salt Lake City for residency, Kaysville/Layton, Minnesota, Colorado, and finally Kansas. He was all about games (any kind but especially the super long ones), loud music, interesting books, movies, monologues, dancing in the kitchen, laughing, outdoor adventures of any kind, soccer (also other sports including running and racquetball), road trips, holding hands with his wife, singing along, candy and sweets, singing to his kids at night, telling the funniest bedtime stories ever, journaling, karaoke, good bread and cheese, nachos and dips, “forgetting” his hat so he could get a new one (we’re finally on to you, hunny), visiting with dear friends, napping, cuddling, and comforting. It’s pretty surprising that he was a self-declared introvert.
He loved his parents, Douglas Brook and Kathleen Thomas, along with his siblings and their spouses and kids including brother, Thomas (Lesli), sisters, Stacie (Dennis Mehr), Brittany (Shawn Martin), Andrea (Chris Hecklinger), Megan (Neil Valentine), and Ashley (Aaron Parks). He reminisced over the time he was able to spend with extended family including his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Many good times were also had with his wife’s siblings and their spouses and kids, Robert (Noramah), Laurent (Kerrie), Gerard (Rachel), Jonathan who passed in 2016 (Anne), Jeffrey (Erika), and Sharon (Benjamin Young). They were loved just as much as his own brother and sisters. He loved sharing a roof with his wife’s mother (“Mama Neu”). He took good care of “Papa Neu” before his passing. He loved growing up in Canada and fondly remembers playing on the grandparents’ farm near Magrath, the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, and his family’s time in Regina. His senior year in India as well as his mission in Toronto, Canada were also pivotal times in his life.
Dustin’s almost 48 years on this side of the veil (he would have been 48 on June 23, 2023) were well-spent to the say the least. Free of mortal cares and burdens, he can now completely focus on the things most important to him. He will always be with us.
We celebrate the mortal life of this wonderful man and invite you to celebrate with us. We have been buoyed by your prayers, love, visits, calls, texts, emails, messages, cards, positive vibes, and support given in countless ways. Thank you so much. It is certainly enough. The Lord is already starting to show us the way on this new turn in life. Some of you insist on doing even more. This is really not necessary as we know the Lord has us in the palm of His hand, but if you are determined, we invite you to consider the many generous contributors at the GoFundMe account set up by Emilie’s very busy sister, Sharon, who clearly is not sleeping (https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-dustin-harkers-funeral-expenses) or to perhaps donate a lilac (Dustin’s favorite) to plant on their eternal project/home/heaven on earth. We love you and feel your love more than we can express. Thank you.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 518 E. 43rd Ave., Hutchinson. A Celebration of Life will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Hutchinson Funeral Chapel & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.