Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Robert Harrell Obituary
Robert A. Harrell, a retired educator of Linthicum and Nokomis, FL, died May 26. He was the longtime principal of Linthicum Elementary School and the former president of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals. He was the holder of many awards, including a Valley Forge Medal for outstanding contributions to American Education and Maryland's Outstanding Principal. An avid reader, he also kept records of more than 2,000 movie stars, and he served as a longtime volunteer of St. John Lutheran Church, the Anne Arundel Retired Teacher Association and the State Department of Education. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sandra K. Harrell. He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Murphy and her husband Steven, DVM of Citra, FL; son, Robert A. Harrell II and his wife Vanessa of Ijamsville; sister, Wanita Ledley of Pasadena; two granddaughters, Megan Lamb, DVM and her husband E. Matt Lamb, DDS, and Andoline Harrell; stepson, David Hewes and his wife Alicia Hewes; three step grandchildren, Dustin, Brenden and Kaylyn Hewes; and his companion of 16 years, Ginger Babicky. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 4 at St. John Lutheran Church, 300 West Maple Road, Linthicum Heights. The family will be receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 3 at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services, 1 2nd Avenue SW, Glen Burnie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Pippen Scholarship at 410-859-0020.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Harrell
Sponsored by Ginger, Neets, the Murphy, the Lamb and the Harrell Families.
Kathleen O'Shea Senecal
May 26, 2023
Bob was the best Pop-Pop to my boys, Corey & Clay. Every Christmas eve he would come deliver presents and share a glass of wine with me. Bob was a great man and still very missed! Clay passed away on 7/27/22 so he is probably with Pop-Pop!
Kathleen O'Shea Senecal
May 26, 2021
Bob was a special man and is still dearly missed! Rest in peace Bob!
Kathleen O'Shea Senecal
August 20, 2011
We just moved back to Maryland and learned Bob had passed away. Bob adopted my children like a grandfather in 1987 and always remembered their birthdays every year. He would stop over every Christmas eve with Christmas gifts. Bob, we will miss you so much. I was so saddened to learn of Bob's passing. Ginger and family, please know we loved Bob dearly and my boys were so sad to learn Pop-Pop had died. Rest in peace Bob!
July 24, 2011
Our sincere sympathy.for your loss.
Claire Shomody
Sorrento East Property Owners Association, Inc.
Rae Valabek
June 15, 2011
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Harrell's passing. Even though I live in Arizona and retired from AACO ten years ago we still kept in touch exchanging letters at Christmas. I had the privilege of working with him as a teacher at Linthicum Elementary.His memory was amazing. In his Christmas letter he kept me up on students from my third grade class from many years ago. Mr. Harrell was a true friend. I will miss him ,his stories and his life commentary.
June 14, 2011
I was just speaking of my elementary school principal, Mr. Harrell and wanted to look him up which is where I just learned of his passing. I am very saddened to hear this news. I was commenting to a co-worker on how impressed I was that he remembered my name (and address) so many years after leaving Linthicum Elementary. Everyone loved Mr. Harrell and my heart goes out to his family. Sincerely, Theresa (Smith) Hammel , Linthicum Md.
Laura Jaques Gore
June 6, 2011
Mr. Harrell, I will never forget the day you came through my classroom with that big bass drum and we followed you through the hallways of Linthicum Elementary School in an impromptu parade. You brought light to so many! Please continue to shine down on us from heaven. You are a rare spirit and I am blessed to have had you in my life.
Kathleen Hall Harris
June 3, 2011
I am very grateful to have known Mr. Harrell. He was always kind, fair and compassionate. How lucky we were to have him as our principal! May his family be comforted by all these wonderful memories and kind thoughts.
Sincerely~
Sherrie DeVeau Cremen
June 3, 2011
Mr. Harrell will be remembered by most every life he touched as a kind, gentle and inspiring person who truly cared about his family and his many students. My most fond memory of Mr. Harrell is the day he became my hero. In first grade, I froze in fear at the top of the climbing tower on the playground and couldn't be coaxed down. Mr. Harrell came to my rescue by climbing up to the top and taking me off into his arms and returning me to safety. To his family, I hope you can take comfort in these hard times by knowing how truly loved Mr. Harrel was and know how blessed you are to have been so close to such a special man. He will be missed.
Jude and Sharon Sklanka
June 3, 2011
My daughter and her friends attended Linthicum elementary and loved Mr. Harrell and along with being a neighbor he and I had a great relationship, and he had a lifetime of stories you could listen to for hours.
He will truely be missed....
Bill Legg
June 2, 2011
Mr Harrell will always be remembered as a kind soul. It was always amazing how he could remember every student on a first name basis. Even on the darkest of days he could always find a silver lining and bring a smile to your face. There never will be another like him
June 2, 2011
Our family has been touched by Bob Harrell in many ways. Danny and Kendra both learned so much about being good people from him - he was a wonderful example for them and a wonderful neighbor. He is the only person I have ever known that I had to clean my oven for when he came over for a party. His Oysters Rockefeller were awesome and were a permanent fixture of party fare. He left many imprints on so very many people - he will be missed very much.
Kay and Chuck Hill, Lake Madison, SD
Stacey Young
June 2, 2011
Mr. Harrell was such a wonderful Principal to all of us who had the fortune to learn and grow under his guidance at Linthicum Elementary. He always had an infectious smile and I remember him very fondly and as many said am thankful that I knew him during my days at LES.
DONNA HAMER-HOUGH
June 2, 2011
AS AA STUDENT AT LINTHICUM ELEMENTARY I AM SADDENED OF THE NEWS OF MR HARRELLS PASSING. HE WILL BE MISSED
Krista Glendenning Kapplin
June 2, 2011
Mr. Harrell you were a gift to all of us; a very special man. Imagine how many students lives were touched by you. You were a rare gift to us all I am very glad I had the priveldge of being in your presence. God Bless you and your family
Kris Kapplin
June 2, 2011
As a former student of Linthicum Elementary I would like to say that I remember Mr. Harrell very fondly. He was always smiling and very friendly. And even after Ileft he still would remember me and say hello when he saw me. Hw was a very genuine and amazing man!! To his family my thoughts and prayers. We lost a very decent human being
I will miss you
Krista Glendenning Kapplin
Craig Totushek
June 2, 2011
I was both shocked and upset to hear of the passing of Mr. Harrell. I had spoken to him just prior to his last trip to Florida. As always, he had me laughing at a story from our past. He was looking forward to the trip and was full of life as always. Our relationship started in kindergarten. He was my only choice to speak as a guest speaker at my Eagle Scout dinner in high school. He remained a friend as my neighbor for the last 14 years. I respected him as an educator and a friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone he ever touched.
Donna Fischer
June 2, 2011
Never will there be another like Robert Harrell. I have known him for over 40 years. He was kind and fair as a principal and wonderful as a friend and neighbor. His smile could light up the room and make you smile back. I will miss him greatly. Blessings and prayers to his family.......
June 1, 2011
Robert Harrell was, without question, an outstanding individual in the field of education. He was the principal of Linthicum Elementary School during both my boys' passing through the lower grades. He possessed the solid intuition of knowing when to be a disciplinarian and when to be an attentive listener. He read people exceptionally well and took into accout the viewpoints not only of his teaching staff and the school administrators but the students' positions as well. He taught by his modeling of respect, good faith, and fairness where those under his guidance should follow.
Our association was not only through his position as principal but as neighbors in the Linthicum community and through our association at St. John Lutheran Church where we attended worship together. His volunteer service to the church was just one more example of his selflessness and willingness to give of himself to others.
He will be missed as a friend, a leader, and a community servant.
Sarah Totushek, Severna Park, MD
M W
June 1, 2011
Mr. Harrell was hands down the best Principle around (Linthicum Elementary). I never had another that truly enjoyed being a principle and enjoyed the kids he worked with every day. I am thankful he was part of my elementary school life.
Tina Otwell (Armstrong)
June 1, 2011
Mr. Harrell was the best elementary school principal around. He was caring and funny, but also insisted on the kids showing respect for themselves and others. We looked forward to our lunch days that Mr. Harrell would take with us. He will certainly be missed.
Karin Powell
June 1, 2011
Mr. Harrell was our Linthicum Elementary School Principle and so much more to the students he touched over the years. His Red Apple Awards were cherished. Even at such a young age, it was apparent to all of us that Mr. Harrell truly cared for and enjoyed his students. I will always remember his laughter.
Rose Wershow
June 1, 2011
Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same. He will be so missed.
Bill Calvert
June 1, 2011
Mr. Harrell was one of my memorable elementary school teachers. He fed my curiosity and bent towards science whilst maintaining discipline. I recently had the pleasure of seeing him again after so many years had passed and can confirm that he was still the same 'good guy' I remembered. I'm sorry to see him go.
Bob Francescone
June 1, 2011
Bob was a delightful neighbor. His jokes and stories enlivened many a morning walk. We will miss him and Ginger both.
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in Robert Harrell's name
Memorial Events
for Robert Harrell
How to support Robert's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Robert Harrell's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
