Robert Harbeck

Harbeck, Robert F. 89, of Washington Township, passed away Friday, December 24, 2010 at Porter hospital. He was born June 17, 1921 in Valparaiso to Otto & Frieda (Jacobs) Harbeck, graduated from Washington Township High School, farmed in Washington Township and retired after 17 years at Miller's Mart. Robert was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church having helped build the structure and served in nearly every official lay capacity there, including President and was ushering in the last year of his life. He had been a Board Member with Porter County Farm Bureau and worked with the 4-H Fair, drove a school bus for many years, bred Airedale terriers, traveled to all 50 States, produced amateur travelogue shows, crafted jewelry and enjoyed classical music. His practical jokes and stories of the by-gone days in rural Indiana will be remembered by the current generation. It is his ingenious tinkering and handyman skills learned out of necessity on the farm that endeared him to so many neighbors and friends. On July 4, 1942 he married Eva M. Hough who survives along with their children: John Harbeck of Valparaiso, Alice (Vernon "Bud") Fitzwater of Westville, Katherine "Barbara" (Charles) Cope of Michigan City, granddaughter, Melissa (John) Culbertson and great grandson, Will Culbertson. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Katherine Wilson. Following cremation a memorial service will be held Wednesday, 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church 201 N. Washington St., Valparaiso, The Rev. Dr. John J. Santoro officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the VNA Hospice of Porter County. MoellerFuneralHome.com