Robert G. Harper

July 6, 1934 - July 16, 2019

Robert Gordon “Bob” Harper passed away on July 17, 2019, at the age of 85. Bob was preceded in death by his father, J.W. Harper, his mother, Dortha Mae (Poe) Harper, and his sisters, Joanne (Harper) Schmidt, and Deborah Ruth (Harper) Edwards. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois (nee Garot) and their sons, Robert David (Tammy) and Brett Evan (Staci), and four grandchildren: Sam, Kay, Jack, and David. A native of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Bob later moved to Florida with his family, where he attended the University of Florida, earning a Master of Science Degree in Management. He worked as a financial analyst and manager for Ford Motor Company in Michigan until his retirement when he and his wife relocated to Manatee County, Florida. During his retirement, he dedicated many hours doing boat patrols for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and teaching boating safety classes as part of their public education program. He loved planning the trips he and his wife made, visiting historic and scenic areas of the United States and other countries. Bob was a loving husband and father who will live on in our hearts. He was always his wife’s best friend. Service and Interment at Sarasota National Cemetery to be held later in August. Date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to contribute to a charity of their choice or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Skyway Memorial Gardens is in charge of arrangements