Robert Harder

10/12/1925 – 12/13/2012
Robert Harder, age 87 passed away December 13, 2012 in Bellingham. He was born October 12, 1925 in Corn, Oklahoma to John and Anna (Reimer) Harder and was the 2nd of 6 children. Bob grew up during the Depression and dust bowl years where life was hard for families to survive. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1943-1946. He went to school in Norman, Oklahoma to become an aviation mechanic and was stationed at Midway Island. During his Navy tour his family moved from Oklahoma to Everson where he joined them after his discharge. Bob spent years developing his career as a heavy equipment field mechanic. Bob married Phyllis, his wife of 61 years on July 7, 1951. After his retirement from Wilder Construction he and Phyllis traveled the US in their trailer, visiting all 50 states. As Dad always said “I had a good life. I had a great family. I always had a job. I traveled a lot. I read a lot of good books and I had good friends. I was a lucky man.“ He was preceded in death by Phyllis on November 2, 2012 his brothers John and Bill Harder, sisters Lou Bright and Betty Aitkins. Surviving are Tammy (Rob) Pack and Tim (Nancy) Harder, grandchildren Dawn Pack, Kelly (Chris) Gapinski, Shelley Harder and Cory Harder. Great-grandchildren Kaden and Payton, brother Dave Harder of Sacramento, CA. We would like to thank the staff at Whatcom Hospice House for the wonderful and loving care they provided for dad. A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held at Westford Funeral Home at 1 PM on Saturday, December 29th immediately followed by a reception at the home of Bob and Phyllis, 606 Mead Avenue in Everson.