Robert L.. Harris

Robert Lawrence Harris, a prominent businessman and former Vanderbilt University baseball stand-out, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 1. Robert was well recognized in the bond and insurance industry, having founded RLH Agency in 1997 prior to merging his company with the Crichton Group in 2017, where he served as a partner.

A lifelong Nashvillian, Robert graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1975 where he was honored as All-City and All-State in baseball and competed in football and basketball. Following high school, Robert was drafted by the Oakland A’s but elected to attend Vanderbilt University on a baseball scholarship. During his four years as a Commodore, he excelled as a pitcher and earned All-SEC status. Following graduation, he began his business career in Nashville where he gained many clients and friends during his 40 years in the insurance profession. He maintained his passion for baseball throughout his life and enjoyed coaching travel baseball for many years for the teams of his sons, Brian and Andrew. Later, when they both followed in his footsteps and went on to play at Vanderbilt, Robert rarely missed their games around the country. Robert was a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Middle Tennessee, the Vanderbilt Baseball Champions’ Circle and Hillwood Country Club.

Robert was deeply devoted to his family and friends, and loved his children relentlessly. Gentle, selfless and generous. A true man of God, he always put others’ needs before his own. He was predeceased by his wife, Cay Collinsworth and his parents Woodrow and Lillian Harris. He is survived by his wife Mellicent, sons Brian and Andrew (Meryl), stepsons Tyler, Thomas and Robert Forcum, brothers Bill (Patti), Jerry (Linda), nephews John Dillon and Chris Harris and nieces Kimberly, Hayley and Hannah Harris.

A funeral service to honor Robert’s life will be held on Friday, April 5 at 11:30 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church at 4715 Harding Road with Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess and Rev. Jim Bachmann officiating. Visitation available at 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, April 4th from 6 – 8 p.m. at Hillwood Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Vanderbilt Baseball Champion’s Circle, WhoUWith Ministries or Montgomery Bell Academy.