Harley Robert Harder

Harley Robert “Rob” or “Bob” Harder, age 73, passed away peacefully on July 19 due to complications from a stroke, his loving daughter by his side. Bob was born February 11, 1951, to Wilfred (Bill) and Norma Harder near Tokyo, Japan, on the U.S. Air Force base. As an Air Force brat, he spent much of his childhood overseas until they moved back to the states. Bob graduated high school at age 16 in Aurora, Colorado. The family then moved to Spokane, where Bob attended Whitworth University before joining the Air Force.

In 1972, he married Donna Barraclough, and they had one daughter together, Diana. Although the marriage did not last, their friendship did. (After their divorce, Bob started going by “Rob” to fit his new single guy personality!) Rob was a computer programmer for the State of Washington (Lakeland Village) for 35 years. Like all government employees, he worked tirelessly up until his retirement in 2014.

Rob enjoyed a good pun (or 10), was a connoisseur of dad jokes, and loved spending time with family and friends, especially if it involved going out for breakfast. He was known for his generous, albeit interesting, surprise gifts. (You don’t know you need a giant inflatable lawn figurine until it shows up on your doorstep!)

Rob was a huge Denver Broncos fan and an avid chess player, both in-person and online. He loved going out for trivia nights and was extremely smart – well, book smart. His “street smarts” were the stuff of legends among his daughter and her friends. A favorite memory is when he grilled cheeseburgers for the group, not realizing that you put the cheese slices ON the patties. He instead slapped them straight on the grill, making a big cheesy mess … and making everyone double over with laughter!

Rob is survived by his daughter Diana (Barry) Anderson, grandkids Olivia and Winston, sister Leonie (Mit) Page, ex-wife Donna Harder, and loyal friend Julie Repp. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 10 am at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 W. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA 99205.