Robert Raymond Harris
(April 8, 1941 - September 24, 2012)
Robert Raymond Harris, 71, of Sullivan passed away 4:45 a.m. Monday September 24th at Mason Point, Sullivan. Bob was born on April 8, 1941, in Geneseo, Illinois, the son of Esther
Harris-DeSplinter and Oliver Harris.
His smile was known to light up
every room, and he had an incredible gift for making everyone he met feel
welcome. He married Glenda Lee Crist on June 7, 1969 in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa. He was a devoted husband to Glenda Harris for 43 years, and a
loving father to Bill and Cristina Harris. As a couple, he and Glenda
traveled all over the world after retiring and visited all 50 states
together.
Bob was a devoutly religious Catholic who attended St.
Columcille in Sullivan, where he was a lector for 41 years and a 50-year
member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob graduated from the University of Illinois in 1964 and received his
Master’s degree in 1966. He and Glenda moved to Sullivan in 1971, and
spent 41 years as members of the community. He was an incredibly
generous and compassionate man who devoted his life to helping farmers
as a University of Illinois Cooperative Extension advisor in Moultrie
and Douglas counties, working for economic justice with C.E.F.S., and
coordinating 4-H programs for youth for 35 years.
His generous spirit
and natural leadership were apparent in his positions as a member of
Kiwanis, the Moultrie County Board, and his participation in Meals on
Wheels. Though he had many professional accomplishments, he was best
known for his character, integrity, and warm spirit. He also loved to
enjoy coffee in the morning with his friends and local farmers, and was
known to often say, “Keep the faith!” as his parting line.
Surviving are his wife, Glenda of Sullivan; mother, Esther DeSplinter of
Geneseo; daughter, Cristina Harris of Brooklyn, New York; sisters,
Sheryl Plumley of Geneseo and Laurie (Chip) Benjamin of New York City,
New York; nephews, Garett, Owen, and Marshall Plumley and David
Benjamin; and countless friends and community members who will miss him
dearly.
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Bill Harris, in 1999 and his father, Oliver Harris, in 1955. The family would like to thank all who came to the Celebration of Life
for Bob on Saturday, September 22nd, and all of the amazing care givers
at Mason Point.
Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Columcille Catholic
Church, Sullivan, with Fr. John Sohm celebrant, followed by the Rite of
committal and burial in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Visitation
will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, with a
prayer service at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to the Harris family,
which will be given to the care givers at Mason Point who provided
loving and compassionate care throughout the final two years of his
life. Alternately, donations can be made directly to the Bill Harris
Memorial Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family
at reedfuneralhome.net
