Robert Harris of Bloomfield, CT. died at home on May 2, 2024 at age 87. He was born into a military family in Amarillo, Texas on January 4, 1937. He was raised in Lubbock, TX by parents Clyde and Sarah Harris. He graduated from Lubbock High School and Texas Tech University.
Bob received his pilot’s license during college in June of 1962. After graduating from college, he joined the Army doing his flight training at Fort Rucker. He was first in his flight class, earning him the choice of airplanes, the Caribou. Bob served in Vietnam from 1964 -1965 flying combat support missions in Vietnam. After discharge he became a commercial pilot with American Airlines from 1966 – 1997. 30 years later, he retired as captain and went into private aviation doing contract work for Cablevision on Long Island as a corporate pilot. He met his wife, Carol, also a pilot, at an Angel Flight picnic. They flew many Angel Flights together for people who needed medical transportation. They continued flying until 2018 when they sold their airplane.
Bob lived in Newtown CT for 42 years. Bob was a devoted father to his sons, Rob and Ryan and his daughter, Reagan. When he was not on a trip, he was always at one of his children’s games or concerts, playing whiffle ball in the yard or basketball with the kids, helping with their paper route and generally adding fun to their days. Bob always found time to coach all of Ryan and Rob’s baseball teams every year and passed on his love of road running to Ryan and Reagan, who still run to this day.
Bob’s love of music was as great as his love of flying. While he lived in Newtown, CT, he was a clarinetist in the Danbury Symphony. He played with them for many years. Upon moving to Southport, NC in 2013, he joined the Wilmington Symphonic Winds ensemble playing Bass Clarinet from 2015-2017. He can be seen on You-tube as the guy in the third row with the shiny head.
Bob and Carol moved back to CT in 2018, residing at McLean in their independent living facility. In 2020 they moved to Bloomfield. Bob and Carol spent many years at their vacation home in Surry, Maine, near Bar Harbor. At some future time his ashes will be scattered atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
Bob is survived by his wife, Carol, his son, Ryan (Leanne) Harris of Long Valley, NJ, his daughter, Reagan (Kyle) Fitzgibbons of Portland, CT, and grandchildren Michael, Kaitlyn, Tara, Paige, Colin and Sean. He was predeceased by his son Rob.
He was cremated at Abbey Cremation Services. A memorial service will be held in Newtown, CT. on Sunday, June 9 at Honan Funeral Home 58 Main Street Newtown, CT from 2-5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Angel Flight NE. www.angelflightne.org and click on the Donate button.
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