Roger Page Harman died on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Germantown Home in Philadelphia after a long illness.

A life-long Philadelphia area resident, Roger grew up in Ardmore, graduating from Lower Merion High School. He received his bachelor's degree from Williams College (1968) and spent a year in Bruges, Belgium at the College of Europe before going on to earn a PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977.

After a stint teaching economics at area colleges, Roger and his partner Duane Ball (1945–2007) opened their first restaurant, The Gold Standard, on 47th Street in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia. This was followed by the Palladium on the University of Pennsylvania campus from 1983 to 2003 and then with partner Vincent Whittacre (1959–2017) Abbraccio and the Gold Standard Café (both in Cedar Park).

In addition to his restaurants, Roger was a fixture of the West Philadelphia community, living on south 48th Street for over 40 years. He was active with the former Chester Avenue Dog Park and the Curio Theatre Company. An outgoing, funny, and very caring person, Roger was often seen walking the neighborhood chatting with friends and neighbors. He was a lover of dogs including Timber, Mildred, Mabel, Leila, and Rascal among others, and he often visited patients at local nursing homes with them.

Roger was pre-deceased by his husband, Vincent Whittacre, partner Duane Ball, and by his brother Gilbert Harman (Lucy) of Princeton, New Jersey. He leaves behind his brother William Harman (Marian) and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Burial will be private. A memorial gathering will be held later this spring. Donations in Roger's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (399 Market Street #250, Philadelphia, PA 19106) or to the Curio Theatre Company (815 S 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143).

Arrangements entrusted to The Oliver H. Bair Co. (610) 449-8585