The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1273658
A-4 Wednesday, July 29, 2020 The Press-Dispatch Memories & History Since 1870 e Harris tradition is passed down through the generations: Bob with a young Nick Harris Henson. History is defined as being events of the past, but people oentimes feel reluctant to accept their personal memories as being deemed historical, and we are no different. It is with that sentiment our story continues with the 4th generation of undertakers, our beloved Robert Dillon "Bob" Harris. Like his predecessors, Bob felt a strong sense of duty from an early age; a duty once described by society as the qualities for being a good citizen. Growing up, he was always present for Sunday worship with his family. roughout his schooling, his only reported absence in any year was on the day his mother accompanied the 17-year- old to give parental consent for his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. Bob served during the Korean War aboard the USS Taussig until his discharge from service in 1956. Upon returning home, his first order of business was to marry a young lady from Odon named Sondra "Sonnie" Seneff. Following the guidelines set forth by the profession at that time, the newlywed Bob began his year of apprenticeship at the funeral home under the guidance of Stiffy and his Uncle Lee. e following year, he entered mortuary school in Indianapolis, traveling back and forth (on their occasional times home) with fellow classmates and close friends Prentice Stafford and Jerry Ziemer, also the son of an Evansville funeral home owner. Bob Harris took great pride in his Navy service. Bob, Sonnie and Bill in 2012 Bob and Prentice Stafford atop the old coach. Following graduation, Bob returned to Petersburg as a licensed undertaker. In 1960, as Stiffy was completing his 7th term as Coroner, he decided it was time to pass the torch. Bob won the election that year and so began his many years of civil service. Bob spent 6 decades serving the Pike County community through the funeral home and several terms as Coroner. In March of 2015, Bob attended the visitation and service of his beloved brother, Rev. William "Bill" Harris. Already in declining health, his brother Bill's service would mark the last time Bob was at Harris Funeral Home until his death on January 25, 2018. As folks filed past the casket paying their final respects to Bob at the conclusion of his funeral, fellow funeral director and lifelong friend Prentice Stafford tearfully stated "I just lost the best friend I ever had." In many ways, that same sentiment could be shared by the community and people of Pike County. Always quick with a smile and handshake on any day that didn't call for an empathetic touch and words of consolation, Bob was a friend of all. As undertaker, Coroner, community leader, businessman and citizen, it could be said that he was the best friend Pike County ever had. For us, we also remember him as husband, father, grandfather, historian and mentor. As with the previous generations of Harris undertakers and their successors, we are honored to share Bob's love for his community, exemplified by his dedication and service to Pike County. At the funeral home, the funeral director scheduled to be notified on nights and weekends of deaths or other aer-hours calls to the funeral home is said to "have the phones," which means being ready to leave home anytime at a moment's notice. ese are the times that account for many lost hours of sleep and countless family events in an undertaker's life. Standing by Bob's grave at the cemetery, the moment was truly bittersweet when we said to ourselves, "We've got the phones, Bob. It's time for you to rest." Newlyweds Bob and Sonnie with Bill Harris in 1956. e young coroner at work following a death in the White River.