Robert Wesley Harris

Robert Harris, formerly of Saginaw Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Spero Heritage Homes in Watertown, Wisconsin, Monday October 23,2023 after an aggressive cancer diagnosis.

 Standing fast on his Christian faith as a redeemed child of God, he recalled his childhood prayer for total reliance on Jesus Christ for his salvation, and redemption from sin. 

Robert served for 22 years in the United States Air Force, retiring from the Duluth, Minnesota Air Base in 1974, then retired from Diamond tool of Duluth Minnesota after multiple union strikes forced the company to close and move south. Harris Small Engine and General Repair served as a Coast Guard Auxiliary member and volunteered with restoration of a vintage World War II era PBY aircraft; he loved flying and held a single engine private pilot’s license and held a certificate in forest harvestry.

Robert is survived by his brother Howard, daughter Anna Schrock, and her husband Jon, Grandchildren Robert and Candice, Stefanie and Justin, William and Amanda and Jaime Gonzales; as well as great grandchildren, Jonathan, Milla, Nico, Amelia, Charlotte, Caroline, and Blake. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, wife Evelyn and his daughter Lisa and her husband Gene.

Robert was no fan of winter and despised snow.  Moving to Minnesota where the snow came straight down rather than blew sideways (Evie’s beloved North Dakota) was where the Air Force (Duluth,NORAD) led them.  Once his wife Evie passed away, Robert fulfilled his dream of being a snow bird and RV-ing south for the winter.  The first winter was in Texas, the second was in New Mexico. He then decided to become a Minnesotan again, returned to the tundra, and stayed with friend of the family Judy who was a great companion, sharing many laughs and more importantly Friday Night fish fry.  Life was fun again in spite of the snow!  In Judy’s son Scott he found a knowledgeable and helpful mechanic and computer expert.  They spent many hours repairing tractors or boats.  

Judy, as a retired nurse saw the warning signs in Robert’s health and finally convinced him to seek medical care; she then blessed him with as much care as she could, applied with love and compassion.

    The family wishes to thank Judy Scott and Kelly (Saginaw,Minnesota) for their care of him during the last years of his life as well as the staff at St Mary’s hospital of Duluth Minnesota for their diagnostic care and treatment; the staff at Spero Heritage Homes for their care of him during his last months, as well as Rainbow Hospice for their care during this difficult time of transition for the patient as well as the family.