Robert ‘Bob’ Harman, true Virginia Gentleman
Robert "Bob" Harman died Thursday, April 26, 2018. He was born Nov. 19, 1946, in Shanghai, China to a Russian-Chinese mother (Nina Zung Harman) and an American GI father (Bernard Harman). Bob's parents met and their love blossomed while his father was stationed in the Pacific during World War II.
Bob immigrated with his family to the United States after the war, as his father returned to the U.S for a new military assignment. Bob's early childhood was marked by frequent travel as his family followed his father on his military assignments as Bernard was stationed at bases in Japan, Michigan, Panama, and Gettysburg, Pa. Bob attended 4th-6th grades at three different schools, and the adaptability he learned while he was young would be a trait that would serve him well throughout his entire life. While living in Panama, his mother introduced him to oil painting; his love for fine arts continued throughout his lifetime.
Ultimately Bob, his parents and his four younger brothers ended up in Virginia where he attended W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Va. Graduating in 1964 at 17 years of age, Bob proceeded on to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville Va. While at UVA, Bob was active in sports and in his fraternity. He was also the lead singer in a rock and roll band, and saw the Beatles at RFK Stadium.
Bob left UVA to follow in his father's footsteps, joining the U.S. Army and attending Officers Candidate School in Fort Belvoir, Va. He graduated from OCS in June 1968 as a second lieutenant. He then became assistant adjutant of the school brigade, and was subsequently posted during the Vietnam War as a combat infantry company commander on the DMZ in Korea in 1969. Bob served in the DMZ for two years, leading the Bravo Company of young men at the age of only 22. His adaptability served him well, as Bob survived his duty and turned his focus to the next step in his journey.
After Korea, Bob again adapted from the military to education. He returned to the University of Virginia, was elected a class officer, married and graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the McIntire School of Business. As an accounting major and a newly-minted CPA, Bob was hired by Arthur Andersen. Bob attended his high school reunions, even hosting his 25th reunion at his Georgetown home. Bob served on the board of directors at UVA's McIntire School of Business, and his recruiting from UVA resulted in his high quality staff, and some good stories. He joined Farmington Country Club, and made many weekend trips to Charlottesville. Although Bob lived in many different countries and towns, he always said he was "from Virginia." He was quite proud to be a Virginia Gentleman.
Bob went on to assume some of the highest ranking roles in various major accounting firms, including "Big 8" firms Arthur Andersen, Peat Marwick Mitchell, and Deloitte Haskins and Sells. He worked hard, and made partner at Peat Marwick at a record young age. During that time, he also helped raise his three older children.
Bob's business leadership took him from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., New York City, and then back to Philadelphia. Bob also made time to earn a MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania while working as a partner at McKinsey & Co., and helping to raise his two youngest sons. In order to be a more hands-on parent, and to allow his wife to go to law school, he commuted to New York from Philadelphia, and then later, moved his career so he could be closer to home. After an amazing business career, Bob retired in 2011.
Bob made education for his children a top priority. He supported his children's academic, artistic and sports interests, and was active in fundraising for Chestnut Hill Academy. He has instilled in his children the gifts of art and music, and of business sense and resiliency. His legacy is apparent in each act of courage, sportsmanship, loyalty and humor.
Bob was active in his membership at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, where his younger sons swam, golfed and worked as camp counselors. He supported the local Chestnut Hill businesses. He had several Jack Russell Terriers, and adopted a few more when their owners needed help. Bob was a protector. If you were in his circle, you were safe. He never had to use the bat he kept by the back door, but he had it at hand, just in case.
Bob loved his family, nice cars, fine wine, a beautiful home, boating, the beach, and close friends. He planted flowers, cared for dogs, carved pumpkins, decorated for each holiday, cooked complete Thanksgiving dinners, took his kids trick-or-treating, sang out loud every day, and attended all swim meets, art shows and soccer matches. He was a consummate gentleman, and the perennial host.
Following his retirement, Bob moved from his long-time Chestnut Hill home to Rehoboth Beach, a town where he and his family had been coming for years. He found Rehoboth to be a place where he no longer needed to adapt, where he could rest and reflect on a life well-lived.
Bob is survived by his five children (Jennifer Lindley, Jonathan Harman, Meredith Regan, Taylor Harman and Ryder Harman) and four granddaughters. He is also survived by his four younger Harman brothers, their wives and children.
As a former Army officer, Bob will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery as First Lieutenant Robert B. Harman, where both of his parents are currently interred.
Arlington National Cemetery funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
