Robert L. Harman

PLYMOUTH, IA: Robert L. Harman of Plymouth died peacefully from complications of heart and lung disease Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at North Iowa Mercy Health Center in Mason City, Iowa. Funeral services to celebrate Bob’s life will be 11:00am Tuesday May 31 at the United Methodist Church in Plymouth, Iowa. Visitation will be held at the church Monday, May 30 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm and again for an hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the Robert Harman Memorial Fund to be used for the Plymouth Methodist Church and other selected charitable organizations.

Bob was born March 22, 1928 to Roy L. and Eva (Molsberry) Harman. He lived his entire life on the family farm east of Plymouth. Bob graduated from Plymouth High School where he met Dorothy McKee. The couple married June 4, 1949.

Bob was a farmer. Every year he looked forward to the spring and fall work. Last fall, at the age of 87, Bob was able to harvest his crop and till the ground for the final time. Throughout his life, Bob worked many jobs while also farming. This included working at Deckers, the Sugar Beet Plant, hauling gas for Standard Oil, moving grain bins, dehorning cattle and was a rural mail carrier. He raised chickens and cattle. Bob was a successful insurance agent as owner of Harman’s Insurance Agency and served as president of Cerro Gordo Mutual Insurance. Never afraid of hard work, Bob was a good provider.

Service to others and his community was important to Bob. He was a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years. He served on many organizations including President of the Plymouth School Board in the 1960’s. Bob was a lifelong member of the Plymouth United Methodist Church. He served on most every board position, was faithful in attendance and worked hard to keep the church viable. Bob was generous in volunteering his time and talents to help others. If a helping hand was needed, it was “no problem”.

Just as work and service were integral parts of Bob’s life, so was the enjoyment of family and friends. Bob enjoyed dancing; the waltz being his specialty. He and Dorothy traveled extensively and made many friendships while doing so. Racing around in his pickup, breakfast with the morning coffee group and stopping at the fertilizer plant were opportunities to visit with others that Bob enjoyed.

Bob is survived by his wife, Dorothy. Persevering through hardships, including the early loss of three of their children, Bob and Dorothy built a beautiful life and shared many joys. His greatest joy was his children and their families. Bob’s grandchildren each held a special place in his heart. Blessed to have been a part of his life are Dorothy; his daughters Kim (Wayne) Anderson of Plymouth and Julie (Brent) Kuntz of Grafton; his grandchildren, Blake (Anna Domoto) Anderson of Jacksonville, FL, Chelsie (Andrew) Engle of Johnston, Tim Kuntz of Ames and Jenna (Logan) Cimmiyotti of Kasson, MN; sister Fern Urbatsch of Albert Lea, MN; sisters-in-law Betty Christensen of Ventura and Joyce Toppin of Clear Lake; many nieces and nephews; and a host of good friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his children Kathy, Craig and Brad; father-in-law Clifford McKee; mother-in-law Marjorie McKee; step father-in-law John Schulte; and brothers-in-law Bob Urbatsch , Wally Fulk, Curt Christensen, Al Toppin.