Obituary of Bob Harrel

View Video Tribute Robert Lewis Harrel was born November 2, 1947 in Pratt, Kansas to Ralph and Gertrude (Regier) Harrel. He was the second of five children. In 1960, he was baptized and joined the Cairo Methodist Church and later transferred his membership to the First Christian Church here in Burlington. After he graduated from Preston High School in 1965, the family moved to Colorado. In 1970, Bob graduated from Fort Hays State University, with a degree in agriculture. On February 27, 1970, Bob married Dorendo Knapp. On March 9, 1979, they were blessed with a son, Scott Michael Harrel. Bob spent all of his life working in the agricultural field. He could be found working behind the parts counter at Harrel Implement Company, repairing farm equipment, or selling implements. Bob’s greatest passion was following the 100 year family legacy of custom harvesting from Grandfather Regier, who threshed wheat using a steam powered threshing machine, to his father Ralph, who hauled 12 foot combines on two-ton chevy trucks, to Bob’s Gleaner Next-Generation R Series combines. During his 43 years of custom cutting, Bob followed the harvest run from Oklahoma to Colorado and points north. Bob passed away Friday morning, August 29, 2008, at the age of 60, at Center, Colorado. The previous day, Bob ran a combine until 9:30 p.m., harvesting malt barley. Bob enjoyed people and never met a stranger. His family and friends will miss his hearty laugh and story telling. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son, Robert Neil; and his older brother, Dave. Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years, Dorendo, his son, Scott and wife Deborah. and the joy of Bob’s life, granddaughters; Avery Dora and Wren Ellen. Also surviving are one brother Jerry Harrel and wife Becky and family and two sisters, Mary Allacher and family, all of Burlington, and Jan Hurley and husband, Dan, and family of Del Rio, TX, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Bob will be Tuesday September 2, 2008 at 10:00 AM, Pastor John Wrench officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Burlington. Visitation will be Monday September 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Love Funeral Home, 377 15th Street, in Burlington. Memorial contributions may be made to The March of Dimes, Premature Infants, and may be left at the Kit Carson State Bank in Burlington.