Bobby "Bob" Gene Harris

August 22, 1942 - June 12, 2024

Durham, North Carolina - Mr. Bobby "Bob" Gene Harris, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 after a long fight with Alzheimer's Disease.

Bob was born August 22, 1942 in Albemarle, North Carolina. He is best known as "The Voice of the Blue Devils for his 41-year career with Duke University as their basketball and football sportscaster.

After graduating from Albemarle High School in 1960, Bob worked summers at the American and Efird Textile Mill in Albemarle. He received an academic scholarship to the North Carolina State University School of Textiles in Raleigh. After two years of college, he returned to Albemarle, where he first worked at Albemarle Shoe Store, after which he worked four years at the Goodyear Tire Company, first as Credit Manager and later as store manager.

While in Albemarle, Bob began his sportscasting career at WZKY, covering a wide variety of local high school and recreational sporting events. In 1975, he moved his family to Durham where he later began broadcasting Duke University sports. His career in broadcasting lasted a total of 50 years (9 year with Stanly County and 41 years in Durham).

Bob was not only dedicated to his career, but also to charity work. He supported numerous local organizations such as the Durham Rescue Mission and Duke Children's Hospital. He was always proud to take part in charity gold tournaments whenever his busy schedule allowed. He never missed a Duke Children's Classic golf tournament, which raised money for the Children's Hospital. He had a huge spot in his heart for helping others, and passed this trait down to his daughter and grandchildren. This is recounted by Chip Cesson, who is quoted in Bob's autobiography How Sweet It Is! From the Cotton Mill to the Crow's Nest as follows: "If God painted one square inch of Heaven Duke blue every time Bob Harris showed an act of love and kindness, then all of Heaven would be Duke blue."

Among Bob's many honors, he was inducted into the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, and was named the 2011 North Carolina Sportscaster of the Years by National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. In 2016, he received the Order Of The Long Leaf Pine award from North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. In addition to interviewing many of the top players and coaches in college sports, Bob also interviewed legendary entertainers Red Skelton, Perry Como, Jeff Foxworthy, and boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, to name a few.

Bob will be remembered not just for his memorable broadcasts, but also for the lives he influenced.

When asked, "What made Bob so good?" John Rose (who worked alongside Bob as technician for the Duke Radio Network) said, "Bob knows what love is- love of God and love of family. He never met a stranger, never forgot a face and nearly never forgot a name."

Four small words…but a lifetime of meaning… HOW SWEET IT IS!

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Phyllis Harris; daughter, Bobbi Harris-McCoy (Ron); grandson, Tripp Winkler (Ashley); and granddaughter, Meredith Anthony (Patrick).

A memorial service will be held at Duke University Chapel at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 27th. Rev. Paul Scott and Rev. Dr. M. Keith Daniel will conduct the service. Special guest speakers will include Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Wes Chesson.

In lieu of flowers, the family request friends to donate in Bob's memory to Duke HomeCare & Hospice at Hock Family Pavilion: 4321 Medical Park Dr., Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.

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

Published by The News & Observer on Jun. 23, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Bobby Harris

Sponsored by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc - Durham.

9 Entries

Jean BUrkard

July 28, 2024

Phyllis and family, so sorry to hear that Bob has passed. My heart goes out to you Phyllis. We had many good years at Nortel together!

Jean Burkard

Steve Tilley

July 28, 2024

I did not know Bob personally. But every time I would see him around Durham he was very cordial. I recommend his book "How Sweet It Is". Without bragging, he explained what a great life he had. He mostly talked about all the wonderful people he met. I recommend it highly.The last time I saw him he was his usual cheerful self. Usual head full of black hair. Not a hint of illness. He must of gotten sick shortly after. GO DUKE! RIP Bob.

Becky Kimbrell-Norris

June 26, 2024

So many great memories and fun times especially in the 1970s and 80s travelling with the Duke basketball team and becoming friends with Bob, Phyllis and Bobbie. My famlily always waited for the players after every home game so we could speak to them and I remember Bob coming out of the locker room after his interviews. Phyllis and Bobbie would be waiting for him and we all would hang out together on the bleachers. I remember when we went to Dallas with the team and Bob got my sister Roger's Staubach's autograph cause she was a big Cowboys fan. That made her day! RIP the voice of the Blue Devils "how sweet it is". Such great memories! (photo is at Bob's retirement celebration)

Bob / Jane Hickman

June 17, 2024

Mrs. Harris, Bobbi, Tripp and Meredith,
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know we are thinking of you during this painful time.

John/Dianne Griswold

June 17, 2024

Our first contact with the Harris family was around 1990 when Phyllis and I were working at SAS Institute. After she left we kept in constant contact through the phone.
It wasn´t until December, 2019 that we were able to meet Bob. We had them over for dinner as they were organizing a 5 day trip for us to visit New York later that month. We served lasagna and I´ll never forget him saying " that´s the best lasagna I´ve ever had ". The trip to New York was such a Blessing: one we will never forget.
We kept in phone contact with Phyllis since then and when Bob became I´ll we were in constant prayers for them both. As we grieve together, we are so thankful that he is in his permanent home with God.
Blessings, John/Dianne Griswold

Tim Ring

June 17, 2024

Prayers for Mrs. Phyllis and family during this difficult time. We pray you reflect on Bob´s life and cherish those wonderful memories and the legacy Bob has left. Bob´s journey allowed him to interact and touch so many lives leaving a positive impression on those he met. Bob did his job with such class and professionalism while all along remaining humble. With all his accomplishments his greatest was being a man of Faith. His love for the Lord was evident in his life. God Bless you Sweet Phyllis. We love you. Tim and Lori Ring.

Kay Wilcox

June 15, 2024

Dearest Phyllis, our sympathy and fond memories of our years together when we were all new to WDNC and Duke and Durham starting in 1975. Our prayers, love and hope for finding peace for you and your family in this time of grief. Always, Kay Wilcox, Alan and Leigh

Mary Jo Whitley

June 14, 2024

My most vivid memory of Bobby Gene is from Central Elementary School in about the 3rd grade (about 1949!) We had an "orchestra" and played mostly
"sticks" (two wooden rods tapped together), or "blocks" (2 wooden blocks covered on one side with sandpaper and brushed back and forth). A few lucky students played cymbals, bells, and the xylophone. We wore capes of red, lined in white, with one side tossed to the back to show the lining. Our performance was to the tune of "English Country Garden", and we all gave our utmost attention to the orchestra director...Bobby Gene Harris! I can still see him giving directions at that tender age! Even then he showed signs that he would be a leader and a success in life! The world was a better place because of him!

Brenda Laton Fesperman

June 14, 2024

Growing up we lived next door to Bobby´s grandmother. One day ,as neighborhood kids do, we were outside talking. All of a sudden we smelt something...I had forgotten I had started supper and left a pan of oil on the stove. We opened the door and smoke had filled the whole house. Bobby said, hurry call the fire department! (Should have known he was going to become a great announcer ) I was afraid to call them because I knew my parents would hear the fire truck.... We lived only two blocks away from the mill and both of them worked there. I think my dad beat the fire truck there. So at a very young age, I learned....never walk away from a frying pan of hot grease. I still can see and hear that big red fire truck pulling up at 325 North 3rd Street.

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