Robert Harris
Nov 23, 1933 -
Oct 16, 2023
Robert "Bob" Edward Harris passed away peacefully on Oct. 16, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Yatesboro, Pa., on Nov. 23, 1933, to Ernest "Duke" and Hazel (Wise) Harris. Bob came to Alaska in 1949 and lived in Eska while his dad worked at the Jonesville Mine. Bob graduated from Palmer High School in 1951 and, after a year of college in Colorado, he moved back to Alaska to attend University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he joined the ROTC. To put himself through college he worked summers at the Jonesville Mine, Suntrana Mine in Healy and the Eklutna Power Plant. He met and married his college sweetheart, Sally Haseltin, in 1954, and they both graduated from the University of Idaho in 1957.
Bob graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate because of his ROTC training and was able to enter the military full time as a regular Army officer immediately after college. He signed up with an Infantry commission and completed Basic Infantry Officer's Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga. Bob served in Germany, Korea, Vietnam and the United States, which included three years at the Pentagon. He was awarded the Vietnam Tet Offensive Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, two Vietnam Service Medals, two Overseas Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry/Silver Star, 21 Combat Air Medals, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, Legion of Merit Award and two Distinguished Flying Cross medals. He was a commander of the 48th (Blue Star) Air Assault Company and completed two tours in Vietnam.
Bob and Sally had four children, each born in a different military installation, the last arriving in Frankfurt, Germany. His final tour of duty was Fort Richardson, Alaska, in 1978, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. He retired in 1980, and his life came full circle when he moved back to the Valley and made his home in Palmer. He was a true Alaskan and he spent many years hunting, fishing, flying and snowmachining in the state he loved.
It became evident shortly after he retired that he wasn't quite ready. After he and Sally divorced, he sold real estate and then served as the City of Wasilla manager from 1982-1993. Bob met the love of his life, Eleanor "Ellie" (Falk) Thomason, in 1988, and together they embarked on many adventures and built a wonderful life together. After Bob's second retirement, he and Ellie split their time between Palmer and Thousand Palms, Calif. Bob's lifelong passion was golf and he boasted a single-digit handicap until the day he couldn't swing a golf club anymore. His golf buddies called him "The Colonel" and he played as much as he could, winning skins games and tournaments regularly.
Bob was a patriot. He loved his country and served and protected her well. In April 2022, he had the privilege of going to Washington, D.C., with the Last Frontier Honor Flight and visiting all the memorials that honor veterans from every branch of the military. He finally heard the words that eluded so many Vietnam veterans: "Welcome home."
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Duke and Hazel; and youngest brother, John Paul "Jackie" Harris. He is survived by his life partner, Ellie Thomason; four children, Kathy, Steve (Pam), Sandy and Rebecca; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother, William "Bill" Harris; cousin, Susan Harris and her two sons; and many more cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring at the Palmer Elks Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Last Frontier Honor Flight, the American Cancer Society or the Palmer Elks Club.
