Bob Harris, 91

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Robert W. "Bob" Harris, 91, of Walla Walla, Wash., formerly of Grand View, died March 10, 2006, at the Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla.

Graveside services will be Monday, March 20, at 11 a.m., at the Riverside Cemetery in Grand View, with Pastor John Curtis officiating. Friends and family may pay their respects at the funeral home Saturday from 1-5 and 7-9 p.m.

Harris was born Sept. 17, 1914, in Riverside, Idaho, the son of Warner and Edna Harsin Harris.

He attended schools in the Grand View Valley and graduated from Grand View High School in 1934.

In 1941 he married Lora Jane Dobbin and they purchased a farm in Grand View, where they lived until Lora's death in 1972.

In 1974 he married Margaret J. Bachman and they resided in Grand View until poor health prompted a move to the Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla in December 2000. Margaret died in November 2004.

Harris was a "hand." As a young man he was a working cowhand and was considered an expert horseman and gifted with a rope. His lifelong interest in the western way of life influenced many of his avocations and interests, and as long as he was on the farm, he always had a "little bunch of cows."

"He had a touch with animals and small children and was Uncle Bob or Grandpa Bob to many," his family noted. "He created many an anxious mom by tossing a toddler up on a horse."

He enjoyed historical society trips and helping with school groups. He liked taking a drive, his association with his lodge, and "posse." He also took pleasure in fishing, hunting, roping, community events and athletic contests.

He was a member of the IOOF Lodge for 58 years, the Owyhee County Sheriff's Posse, Owyhee County Calf Ropers when they sponsored the former Grand View Rodeo, the Owyhee County Cattlemen's Association, the Owhyee County Historical Society and the Grand View Senior Citizens.

He is survived by: two sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Carol Harris of Athena, Ore., and Larry and Helena Harris; a daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Tedd DeLong of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; two stepsons and their wives, Wayne and Joann Bachman of Craigmont, Idaho, and Merle and Marge Bachman of Marsing, Idaho; a sister, Treva Malmstrom of Orange, Calif., and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grand- children.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Owyhee Historical Society, Grand View Senior Center, or a charity of choice through the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater, Ore. 97862.