Thomas Richard Harbach

It is with profound sadness and love that we celebrate the life of Thomas Richard Harbach. He was born on July 28,1932 to Thomas E. Harbach and Veronica Drozd Harbach in Baltimore, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Veronica Harbach, his brother Ronald Harbach, his sisters, Jean Kuczinski and Veronica Taylor and his daughter Janet M. Keggins.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 74 years, Sandra C. Harbach, his daughter Barbara Lewis and her husband John Lewis Jr., Janet’s husband Gregory Keggins, four grandchildren, Seth Keggins, his wife Christie Keggins, Bryana Keggins, Jason Lewis, his wife Violet Lewis, Thomas Lewis and five great grandchildren Peyton Keggins, Levi Keggins, Madelyn Lewis, Owen Lewis, and Scarlett Lewis.

He attended George Washington University where he obtained an associate in science degree. He served in the USNR for (8) years from 1951-1959. He was a lifelong member of the Annapolis Elks, a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Boumi Temple Shriner Legion of Honor member. He attended St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis where he served as the Head of the Ushers, Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister.

He began his career in 1960 working at NASA until his retirement in 1994. He received numerous awards, honors and outstanding citations for his work. He travelled the world in his career at NASA working at Wallops Island in Virginia, Vandenburg Air Force Base in California, Cape Canaveral in Florida, the Italian Space Agency in Rome, and in Kenya Africa. The most memorable projects he worked on were the COBE Satellite, the EUVE satellite, the Italian San Marcos Satellite, and the Hubble Space telescope

In summary, Thomas was a loving husband, a devoted father, a cherished friend. He was a kind, gifted and talented writer who befriended and wrote many letters to his friends and family during his life. His warm and charismatic personality drew people towards him and his genuine care and support touched the lives of many. He will be forever cherished, and he will be deeply missed. As we grieve this tremendous loss let us also celebrate his life and the profound impact he made on every one of us.

Visitation will be held at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 9:00 am.