Robert H. Harris

1931 - 2012

Robert H. Harris obituary, 1931-2012, Yarmouth, ME

Robert H. Harris

1931 - 2012

BORN

1931

DIED

2012

Robert Harris Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 21, 2012.
Robert H. Harris, 80
Yarmouth: Robert "Bob" Hulbert Harris, 80, of Yarmouth, died January 17, 2012 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House with his family at his side.
He was born November 6, 1931 in Portland, Maine, son of Reginald Hulbert Harris and Alice Eugenia Hupper. After spending the first years of his life in Cape Elizabeth and Gorham the family moved to Boothbay Harbor. He graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1949. He was active and studious: he enjoyed football, basketball and track, and in 1947 he won the George B. Kenniston Junior Prize Speaking Contest for reading "Athletics in Education" written by his father.
Bob attended Colby College in 1949 and 1950. After leaving in 1951 to join the Air Force he was invited back to the Colby class reunion of 1953.
Bob went through Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and Technical Supply School Training at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, eventually joining the Technical Supply Squadron, U.S. Air Force in Texas. He was stationed at Nousara AFB near Casablanca, Morocco for almost two years, returning to Long Island, New York and Pittsburgh, PA where he worked in space defense. He was honorably discharged as an Airman First Class on January 3, 1955, with a Good Conduct medal and a National Defense Service medal.
Bob married Barbara Gail Irwin on January 29, 1955 in Perrysville, Pennsylvania.
After leaving the Air Force, he moved to Auburndale, Massachusetts, and worked for a yearbook publishing company. He soon enrolled in Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts and earned a B.S. in Speech in June, 1959. While attending college, Bob worked at a rug importing company on Newbury Street in Boston, enjoying the memories of his travels stirred by their beautiful rugs and art work.
In 1960 Bob moved to Yarmouth, Maine, and became an English and History teacher for Greely High School in Cumberland. He helped people with speech problems, managed the debate team, directed the yearbook and also directed some theatrical productions.
Bob soon joined the business world, selling printers for Addressograph Multigraph of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1962 he joined the insurance industry, where he excelled for almost 50 years. He based himself in Portland and became an insurance agent for Connecticut Mutual on October 1, 1962. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Bob continued his loyal relationship with Connecticut Mutual through its 1996 merger with MassMutual until his retirement in 2009. During his time with MassMutual he qualified for the Leader's Award 7 years, the Million Dollar Round Table 7 years, the National Sales Achievements 2 years and the National Quality Award for 24 years. He was also very involved in the Maine Association of Life Underwriters. Business associates note that he was one of the most caring and giving professionals they knew; he worked hard at being available to others and teaching newcomers the business. He is described as a "man's man", a mentor to many and true to himself as well as his clients and associates. His integrity, compassion and great sense of humor always shone through. He knew how to work a room and had a wonderful smile and engaging manner.
He was actively involved in local politics as an ardent Republican and for a time worked as a Lobbyist in Augusta. He was on numerous business, community and charitable committees and counsels: a founding member of Yarmouth Rescue, the Yarmouth Clam Festival and Royal River Park. He was also active in the First Parish Congregational Church in Yarmouth in the 1960's and 70's and returned to the church in 2007.
Bob and Barbara had 3 children, Karen, Scott and Debbie. He greatly enjoyed participating in their lives and was a father figure to many of their friends.
Bob loved to travel. He went back to Morocco in 1987 with family and friends. He visited Paris and traveled all over the United States, including Hawaii where he took a helicopter tour into a volcano. When his granddaughter Rikki graduated from high school they went on a whirlwind multi-country tour of Europe; when his grandson Scott Jr. graduated, it was Alaska. He was always up for an adventure. Traveling with Bob was also an adventure, as you could not go anywhere without him seeing someone he knew. He also loved the ocean and sailing.
With his daughter Debbie he "discovered" the tiny mill village of Harrisville, New Hampshire in the 1970's. Through genealogical research he was so proud to find out that he was a direct descendent of the Harris family that built the town. Serving as an Incorporator with Historic Harrisville Inc., he became deeply involved with the local community and committed to its' path to registration on the National Register of Historic Places. A man on a mission, he organized a Harris family reunion in 1996 that brought previously unknown relatives together from across the country.
In his later years Bob's quest for adventure continued as he attempted to summit Katahdin and participated in 2 sprint distance triathlons with Scott and Karen, even after suffering the first of what would be four debilitating strokes. Though the first three strokes hit him hard and knocked him down, he fought back after each one to regain his independence and zest for life.
He was fiercely independent, living life on his own terms and in his own way, and lived each day to the fullest. He adored his grandchildren and made it a point to spend as much time with them as possible.
He is survived by his daughter Karen Harris Connolly and her husband Robert of Hollis, his son Scott Harris and his partner Merrily Castro of Yarmouth, daughter Deborah Harris Midgette and her husband Dameron and their children Leila, Rowan and Will of Brunswick, granddaughter Rikki Harris of Portland, grandson Scott Harris Jr. and his wife Kari of Rochester NH, sister Eleanor Aldrich and her husband Arnold of Vienna VA, stepdaughters Robyn Violette and her husband Dana of Portland and Jennifer Banks and her husband Jay of Gorham as well as many more nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be 5-7 pm. on Friday, January 27th at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Bob's life will be held Saturday, January 28th at 11 am at First Parish Congregational Church, 116 Main Street, Yarmouth. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in the spring. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Bob's life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with his family.
Please consider donations in Bob's memory to:
Hospice of Southern Maine
180 US Route One, Suite 1
Scarborough, ME 04074

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Robert Harris's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 1, 2012

Sarah Foulger posted to the memorial.

January 28, 2012

Pat Frazer posted to the memorial.

January 25, 2012

Hannah Treworgy Ekwere posted to the memorial.

Sarah Foulger

February 1, 2012

Bob returned to Boothbay Harbor 2 & 1/2 years ago (if memory serves). He glowed with enthusiasm for this community and shared energetically about his young years in BBH and in the Congregational Church here. Bob was a great conversationalist and shared his warm smile freely. He attended church when he could and I was very saddened to read of his death. I wish I could have pumped him for more details of his childhood in BBH but am honored to have known him a little and to have welcomed him back into our church. Rev. Dr. Sarah Foulger

Pat Frazer

January 28, 2012

Bob often stopped in at the Boothbay Chamber of Commerce where I worked. Two days after I had a stroke in August 2010, Bob appeared in my ICU room at Maine Med, checking "to see if you are doing okay - is there anything I can do for you." And he came to New England Rehab three times to encourage me and visit. That was when I first learned that he had three strokes - you could not tell that he had - and he continued to check on me. The staff at the Rehab remembered him well, and his determination. To his family - your Dad/grandfather was an exceptional, wonderful man. Very pleased to have known him.

Hannah Treworgy Ekwere

January 25, 2012

I have such great memories of Bob and your family. He was such a warm and caring person. My heart is with you all at this sad time.
Love,
Hannah

January 25, 2012

Karen, Scott and Debbie -- I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He was one of the most outgoing and intelligent people I have ever met. Your Dad could bring a smile to anyone's face. My thoughts are with you and your families. Linda Mooers (McLellan) -- Saco, ME

Charley L

January 24, 2012

Entry shared from the Caring Bridge Guest Book:

"Missing Bob, I dug out some of the poems he wrote. Below is one he wrote in 1995 after our Men's Group traveled to Portsmouth NH together to see & hear Thomas Moore. Note the name Bob used when he wrote poems. This was back when he lived on Pine Point and would walk the beach just about every day.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
by A.B. Chcomber

I am confused, what to do, where to go.
Who has the answer, I need to know?
Life presents me with dilemmas galore.
Without the answers, I can search no more.
This question I raised, to a wise man I knew
The answers I sought, nothing else would do.
His reply showed him a fool, a wise man he's not.
For he said to me there, from the front of the stage
"It's the question you seek, the question alone,
Seek not the answer, but cut straight to the bone.
Keep asking the question, seeking your truth
The deeper you go, the more you will know.
Your life will be filled with excitement galore.
So said the man with the surname of Moore."

Sue McKay

January 24, 2012

Dear Family and Friends of my mentor Bob. I started my carrier with Conn Mutual in 1981. He was always there whenever I had a question or asked for advise. He called me about a month ago and it was so good to hear his voice. I know there is now one more bright star in the heavens.

Kathy B

January 24, 2012

Entry shared from the Caring Bridge Guest Book:
"...When I first met Bob, and asked about him, he told me that he was a "wizard". Well the world is losing a little magic today."
Kathy B., 1/18/2012

Beverly (Leland-Grenier) Giroux

January 23, 2012

Bob touched my life ever so briefly, way back in high school, in the early 60's. It is with the greatest respect for Bob, that I say, "you will be truly missed". Blessings to all of you in the Harris family......he touched so many people in his life.

Mickey Connors

January 23, 2012

Sorry for your loss, Bob was friend to many people. I will miss my classmate and friend.

Adam Barbee

January 23, 2012

Karen - I am so sorry for your loss. I could tell you were a caring daughter who loved her father. It was great to meet him at the meetings. I wish you well.

January 23, 2012

HI KAREN - I JUST WAS LAUGHING OVER ONE MORE OF BOB'S ADVENTURES-

WE WERE DOWN VISITING MY SON ERIC AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW MILLIE WHEN THEY LIVED IN BOSTON AND BOB HAD HEARD THAT TED WILLIAMS HAD JUST DIED, SO BEING THE RED SOX FANS THAT WE WERE, WE JUMPED OUT OF BED AT 6 AM AND DECIDED THAT WE WOULD WALK FROM COMMONWEALTH AVE. TO FENWAY PARK AND PAY TRIBUTE TO TED. WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE CONDO, MY KIDS LOOKED LIKE WE HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED, BUT AFTER WE EXPLAINED THEY LOVED IT--THAT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN WITH BOB AND HIS WONDERFUL, MANY ADVENTURES THAT WE HAD-I THOUGHT YOU WOULD GET A KICK OUT OF IT. LOVE SHEILA

January 23, 2012

Karen, Scott, Debbie and Family....... Your dad put up a good fight during his illness and was such an inspiration to everyone he was acquainted with. Our class will surely miss his presence at our Greely Class Reunions for which he has attended every five years for the last 50 years!!! May the fond memories help get you through this difficult time. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sandy Bowie, Yarmouth

ROXANNE WHEELER

January 22, 2012

To Bob's family,
I will miss Bob dropping by to catch up. I am so sorry for all of your losses: great father, grandfather, adventure seeker, and business mentor for the Harris clan. He was very proud of all of you. We weren't neighbors all that long on Powell Rd but we thought of Bob often even when he moved to Yarmouth and Boothbay Harbor. May your wonderful memories sustain you all as you learn to live without him on this earth.
Blessings, Roxanne & Harvey Wheeler

January 22, 2012

i am so sorry for the loss of bob, i cleaned for him when he was in falmouth an helped move him to yarmouth
he was so fun, an just a joy to be around, i would think of him every other wed. when i go to roxanne an harveys across from where he lived in falmouth
again he was a treat thoughts an prayers are with you all
fay brooks

January 22, 2012

To the Harris Family: Not only do you have a loss and my deepest condolences, but I have a loss too. Bob was a mentor to me in the insurance industry for over 40 years. He was one of the first business people I met when I moved to Portland in 1971. Over the years he shared many good business and personal ideas with me which helped me in my career. It was always a pleasure to see a fellow Emerson graduate and we shared many memories over the years of sitting on the wall in front of 130 Beacon Street. I know he is in a better place and sharing his wisdom and sense of humor.

Jerry Angier, CLU, ChFC
Cape Elizabeth, Maine

jessica Roberts

January 22, 2012

he was a wonderful man i was so glad to get to know him along time while i was date Scott jr in high school. i wish you all the best deal with everything. i'm so sorry for you guys lost.

Wilma Marsh

January 22, 2012

My deepest condolences to you all. Bob and I were cousins many generations back having both descended from Nicholas Harris and Hannah Blake.
Sincerely, Wilma Marsh

Sue Turner

January 21, 2012

Scott, this is a wonderful tribute to your dad. I am so sorry for your loss of such an honorable man and father. He will remain close to you in your heart. You definitely have great memories to cherish forever.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

Lindquist Funeral Home

1 Mayberry Ln, Yarmouth, ME 04096

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Sign Robert Harris's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 1, 2012

Sarah Foulger posted to the memorial.

January 28, 2012

Pat Frazer posted to the memorial.

January 25, 2012

Hannah Treworgy Ekwere posted to the memorial.