Robert Earl Harris

Robert Earl Harris,73, passed away on May 24,2026, as a result of his battle with dementia. Bob was born on August 6, 1952, and lived in New London, Ohio, his entire life. Bob was a 1970 graduate of New London High School and returned home to the family farm after graduating from The Ohio State University in 1974.

Bob wore many hats during his life. He was a loving husband, devoted father, smitten grandfather, supportive brother, passionate farmer, vocational agriculture teacher, township trustee, Ruritan member, pizza maker, and a true friend. Many have said that Bob was “genuinely a good guy” who took nobody or nothing for granted.

Bob and Mary Lou (nee Brix) were married on April 24,1976. Together, for 50 years and one month, they weathered many storms and basked in even more sunny skies.

Bob was the father of three children: Son and best friend Bradley (Heather), Aaron (who died too young), and his “baby girl” Elizabeth (Mike Buchs). Bob was a patient father; teaching his children to respect others and love the farm they grew up on. His four granddaughters: Kaya, Karina, Nellie, and Cora were a joy to him even when he was in the throes of dementia.

Kaya and Karina, his “bonus granddaughters", made him laugh and shake his head in amusement from the day they became part of our family.

Bob would always say that Nellie “doesn’t miss a thing” which proved true when she visited him for the first time at the memory care facility. She immediately discovered there was an “ice cream store” and from that day forward whenever she went to visit PopPop, she would take him by the hand for a stroll to the cafe to indulge in their favorite treat.

We were fortunate to witness Bob opening his eyes, smiling, shedding some happy tears, and reaching out his arms to hold 2 week old baby Cora.

Bob’s passion in life was farming. He managed the family dairy farm for many years and farmed with his father and, later, his son for over 60 years. Bob taught vocational agriculture at New London High School (1975-1979), owned and operated an East of Chicago Pizza Company franchise, was a New London Township Trustee for 27 years, a member of the New London Ruritan for 23 years, and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick’s Catholic Churches.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Ruth (nee Jameyson) and his son Aaron Robert. Besides his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is survived by his siblings: Richard (Mary) Harris, Jim (Sue) Harris, and Rita (Jim) Czerniakowski, sister-in-law Jodie (Frank) Spears, and brothers’-in-law John (Kate) Brix, and Marty (Kim) Brix, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, June 2. 2026 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The Rev. Ron Brichner will preside.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 12, 2026, at Kilkerrin, 4391 Fitchville-River Road, Wakeman, Ohio, from 2-5 pm.

In memory of Bob, memorial gifts can be sent to New London Ruritan (scholarship fund) ℅ Mike Crabbs, 85 Clifton Street, New London, Ohio 44851 or Gentiva Hospice,112 Harcourt Rd., Suite 3, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050. Fond memories and condolences can be shared at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.

And God said,”I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bales …somebody who’d plow deep and straight and not cut corners; …Someone who would bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh, and then sigh, and then with smiling eyes, when his son says that he wants to spend his life ‘doing what dad does’”

                                      … so God made a Farmer (Bob)

                                                                                                                   -Paul Harvey