Harry Lewis Hughes, 89, passed away peacefully at home on September 28th. Harry was born on December 13, 1924, in Houston, Texas, to Ruth (Nettles) and Rex Hughes. He spent most of his childhood in Topeka, Kansas, where he graduated from Topeka High School in 1943. He was a graduate of Kansas University, where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in French. It was there that he met Mary Lou Vansant, whom he married on February 7, 1947. Mary Lou and Harry moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where Harry pursued a doctoral degree and taught French at Eastern Michigan University.

In 1954 Harry and Mary Lou began their "gypsy life" when Harry became a Foreign Service Officer. They were posted in Chile, Uruguay, Dahomey (now Benin), Chad, South Africa and Haiti. They loved immersing themselves in the local culture and getting acquainted with people from all over the world; they passed that love on to their children. The Hughes family enjoyed spending vacation time in fascinating places all over the globe. A favorite destination was their seaside home in Benicasim, Spain. After Harry retired, he and Mary Lou spent two months out of every year at this beautiful retreat until their loss of vision prevented them from traveling.

Harry's last assignment prior to retirement was to sit on the Foreign Service Board of Examiners in Washington, D.C. He and fellow panel members tested and selected the next generation of Foreign Service Officers. Following retirement, Harry and Mary Lou lived in Arlington, Virginia, for several years. They then decided to move back to their roots in the Midwest and settled in Lawrence, Kansas, home of their alma mater. There they enjoyed the company of old friends -- and new -- for twenty years. In June 2012, Harry and Mary Lou moved to South Dakota to a home in the country, next door to daughter Amy. Harry's total blindness meant he needed round the clock assistance, provided either by family members or a compassionate group of caregivers. Harry's "helpers" (as he called them) became members of the family. Special thanks go out to Judy, Linda, Donise and Kimberly.

Harry is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Lou, daughter Amy (Greg Pauley) and grandson Ethan of Vale, SD; son Roger (Renee Martonik) and grandson Rex of Chicago, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son Jeffrey, daughter Connie, brother Billie, and parents Rex and Ruth Hughes.

Harry was laid to rest in the Vale Cemetery, during a private family gathering. A memorial has been established in Harry's name with Hospice of the Northern Hills.