Robert Henry Harmon was born December 23, 1930, in Ames, Iowa, to Minnie Barbara Oberhansly and Laurence Barnes Harmon. He passed away peacefully at home a few days after his 91st birthday in the early morning of December 26, 2021, with his beloved wife and children close by.
Bob was the youngest of four boys and grew up in Salt Lake City, visiting his grandfather’s farm, enjoying neighborhood games, and going on fishing trips with his father. Even though he contracted Perthes Disease in his hip as a child, he never let that interfere with his tennis game as an adult. Bob took a woodworking class in junior high and became intrigued with saws and drills. This hobby contributed years later to the loss of a finger while making Christmas gifts. Grandchildren got a kick out of him raising a hand and saying, “Give me four!” His teenage years often found him with his favorite cousin, Gordon Allred, who was his companion for fun, adventure, hard work, and root beer.
After graduating as a ping pong champion from East High School in 1948, he attended the University of Utah, where he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, graduating with a degree in Business and Accounting. He earned an MBA at UCLA, which led to a career in estate planning. Bob joined the Home Life Insurance Company, managed the Utah office, and later became an independent agent. He taught his children the value of hard work, which was reflected in the numerous industry awards he received throughout his career, including membership in the Million Dollar Round Table for 40 consecutive years.
While at the U of U, he met a beautiful Chi Omega named Carolee Larsen and it was love at first sight. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in August 1955 and raised their five children in Salt Lake City. They loved to travel and created cherished memories in Jackson Hole, the Canyonlands, and Lake Powell. He was generous with his time and resources. One of the most important things to him was being with his family and providing meaningful experiences for them. Evenings were spent at the beloved family cabin at Brighton, where countless hamburgers were loaded with Heinz ketchup. Bob loved Carolee’s pumpkin chiffon pie, Mountain Dew, a good card game, and “getting out and doing something,” especially if that included a cruise.
As a young man, Bob fulfilled a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Australia. This experience helped to provide the foundation for his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he continued to serve in many Church callings throughout his life. He and Carolee loved serving as public affairs missionaries in Germany and areas across Europe.
We thrill at the thought of Bob reuniting with his parents and older brothers - Larry, Hal, and particularly his older brother Kent who was killed in WWII, as well as two grandchildren, Emily and Eric Hansen. We know our dad will be happiest when his wife of 66 years can join him. Bob is survived by his wife Carolee, his children David (Nancy) Harmon, Christine (Tyler) Sheffield, Pamela (Mark) Hansen, Jill (Andy) Zaharias, and Holly (Bryan) Webster. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.
We will miss hearing him greet us with his kind words of love. Appreciative, uncomplaining, and tender until the very end, Bob was a true gentleman.
A private graveside service for the family was held on December 30, 2021, at Sunset Lawn in Salt Lake City, Utah. A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at a later date.
