Robert “Bob” Eugene Harris, 85, passed away peacefully November 12, 2022, at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS. He was born April 27, 1937, in Great Bend, KS, to John Francis Harris and Thelma Mae (Foreman) Harris.
Bob was a 1955 graduate of Great Bend High School. He attended Kansas State University for two years where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He then transferred to Fort Hays State University where he majored in Biology graduating in 1959. Bob began his teaching career in Stafford, KS, where he taught General Science and coached football, basketball, and track in the junior high school for three years. From 1961 to 1967, he taught science and coached at Marie L. Hare Intermediate School in Garden Grove, CA. From 1968 to 1981, Bob taught Biology, Zoology, and coached football and swimming at Hutchinson High School. In 1980, he began working as an insurance agent for Ozark National Life & N.I.S. Financial Services. He retired in 2020 at the age of 83.
Bob was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ. In his many years at Eastwood, he taught Bible classes, led singing, served communion, and was head of the missionary program. He was frequently found talking to others about Christ whom he loved beyond measure. He definitely epitomized a life of servitude.
Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Bob was an avid sports fan who followed the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas State University Wildcats, and the University of Kansas Jayhawks.
On October 31, 1958, he married the love of his life, Sandra Kay Cooper, in Great Bend, KS. They shared over 64 years of marriage, 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
Bob is survived by: his wife, Sandra of Hutchinson; children, Dan (Mitzi) Harris of Flower Mound, TX, Kim (Joe) Horsch of Goddard, KS, and Shelly (Darren) Watson of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Josh Hoefler, Jordan (Vanessa Jones) Hoefler, Chloe Harris, Kylie (fiancé, Zach Norton) Horsch, Jake (Makala) Horsch, Madison Harris, Logan Watson, Sean Harris, and Lucas Watson; great-grandchildren, Kannon Hoefler, Kyler Hoefler, and Kolby Grace Hoefler; and siblings, Roger (Magda) Harris and Rita (Keith) Morgan, all of Abilene, TX.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Thelma Harris.
Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Wayne DeWindt officiating. Friends may sign the guest book from 9am to 5pm, Thursday, November 17, 2022, and Friday, November 18, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.
The memorial service can be viewed online by going to Bob’s obituary and selecting the “Click here to view the memorial service” link. Cremation has taken place.
Click here to view the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Eastwood Church of Christ, Hospice House, or Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.