ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Aruba is mourning the loss of renowned historian, author and journalist Clyde Harms, who passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the island’s history, culture and journalism.
Over more than 15 years, Harms published over 100 articles in Papiamento and English covering Aruba’s history, culture, sports, infrastructure and social development. His work helped preserve important stories and historical records for future generations.
Among his notable publications are History of Baseball in Aruba, co-authored with Efraim “Boei” Brion and Don Juan Perez, German U-Boat 156 Brought War to Aruba February 16, 1942, Storianan di un Mucha di Lagoen, Un Arubiano na Libia, and his final book, E Baul di Clyde, launched in October 2025.
Harms also enjoyed a distinguished international career as an electrical engineer, working for Exxon in Venezuela, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Greece, the United Kingdom and Canada before dedicating much of his retirement to historical research and writing.
Beyond his literary achievements, he served nearly 27 years as president of the Aruba Scholarship Foundation and six years as secretary of the Aruba Red Cross, reflecting his lifelong commitment to education and community service.
Remembered as a humble, knowledgeable and generous man, Clyde Harms leaves behind an enduring collection of books and articles that will continue to inspire historians, journalists and readers for generations to come.
