A Huge Loss to the Industry

Randy Harris, crane expert, born August 1963; died May 15, 2010.

Randy S. Harris, 47, manager of the crawler crane division at ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. and nationally known crane expert, died suddenly in Gates Mills, Ohio, on May 15, 2010. He had worked for ALL for nearly three decades. Randy “was passionate about everything he did,” says Michael Liptak, president of ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp. Liptak describes him as a man “who was tenacious, dedicated, and committed in every way, with a great thirst for knowledge. I can’t express how much he will be missed.”

Harris joined ALL in 1981 to learn the business, literally from the ground up. He began working in the shop, sweeping the floors. But it was a business he craved ever since he watched a crane putting up a chairlift at a ski area in Chesterland, Ohio, where he was working for his uncle. From that moment on, he loved cranes, says Liptak.

Randy Harris, Crawler Crane Manager, and Ricky Mikut, Tower Crane Manager, ALL Erection & Crane Rental Corp.

At ALL, he progressed through the ranks from working in the equipment yard to becoming a truck driver and then a crane operator. His growing knowledge led him to work in the office, first in the tower crane division and then as manager of the company’s crawler crane division for the past 10 years. His crane expertise was nationally recognized, and he was admired for both his extensive knowledge and hands-on experience.

“The guy knew it all, in detail,” says Michael Liptak. “If he didn’t know something, he would study it intensely. He could probably tell you how many bolts were in the Eiffel Tower. That’s why he was so good at operating a crane and operating his division of the company. But what really separated him from the others,” Liptak adds, “was that he didn’t just know how to do things, he knew why.”

Harris worked hard and pushed life to its limits. “He died while fully living. He would tell others, ‘find out what you’re passionate about and do it,’” Liptak says. “Randy’s personal strength, dedication, and commitment to our company over the years was an important part of our growth and success. We are forever in his debt.”

Randy Harris leaves behind two sons, Lee and Kyle, in their 20s. A private memorial service will be held in June.