Harry R. Truman | |
|---|---|
 Truman near his lodge in 1980, a few months before his death | |
| Born | Harry R Truman October 1896 Ivydale, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | May 18, 1980 (aged 83) |
| Cause of death | Killed by a pyroclastic flow during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens |
| Occupation(s) | Bootlegger, prospector, caretaker of the Mount St. Helens Lodge |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Irene Hughes (divorced) Marjorie Bennett (divorced) Edna O. Henrickson (deceased) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army Air Service |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Unit | 100th Aero Squadron |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
Harry R. Truman (October 1896 – May 18, 1980) was an American businessman, bootlegger, and prospector. He lived near Mount St. Helens, an active volcano in the state of Washington, and was the owner and caretaker of Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake near the base of the mountain. Truman came to fame as a folk hero in the weeks leading up to the volcano's 1980 eruption after refusing to leave his home despite evacuation orders. He was killed by a pyroclastic flow that overtook his lodge and buried the site under 150 ft (46 m) of volcanic debris.
After Truman's death, his family and friends reflected on his love for the mountain. In 1981, Art Carney portrayed Truman in the docudrama film St. Helens. He was commemorated in a book by his niece, and also in various pieces of music, including songs by Headgear, Billy Jonas, and Shawn Wright and the Brothers Band.