Robert Dale Harris

Robert Dale Harris was born September 25, 1936 near Beecher City, Illinois to Paul Maxwell Harris and Mary Bessie Harris. Bob graduated from Cowden HS, IL in 1953 and worked on the family farm until 1955 when he enlisted in the US Air Force. In December 1957 he received his pilot wings and commission. Bob flew numerous aircraft including the F-86, F-101 and F-102. He left the Air Force in December1966 with the rank of Captain and moved to Bakersfield, CA where he took a position with Frances I DuPont as an Account Executive. DuPont later became DuPont Walston and in 1974 was sold to Dean Witter. In 1978 Bob left Dean Witter to open a brokerage office in Bakersfield for Merrill Lynch and managed the office until 1986. He remained employed by Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor until his retirement in 2005. He continued his education with evening classes and received a BA in Economics from Cal State Bakersfield in 1975.

He was a member of the Bakersfield Hangar of Quiet Birdmen, a pilot fraternity, a life member of the Order of Daedalions, a fraternity of military pilots, a life member of the Air Force Association, and a life member of the F-86 Sabre Pilots Association. He was a member of Meudell-Oildale Masonic Lodge and Al Malaikah Temple. In the 1970s Bob was active in Junior Achievement of Bakersfield and was President of the local chapter in1972. He served as Secretary of Bakersfield South Rotary 1985-86. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. Bob was a Certified Flight Instructor and was quite proud of the students he taught to fly and/or assisted in upgrading their pilot skills. Mr. Harris was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, James, Gerald, Wilbur and sister Linda Kay Ford.

Mr. Harris is survived by his best friend, Trinidad Stellmacher of Bakersfield, a sister Mary Joan Truman of Laguna Niguel, CA, a son Robert Dale Harris (Sylvie) of South Daytona Beach, FL, a daughter Nada Joyce Yorke (Richard) of Washington and several grandsons, one great-grandson and three great granddaughters. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert D Harris Endowment Fund, Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Blvd, Mattoon, IL. 61938.

Services for Mr. Harris are as follows: A visitation will be held at The Patino Hall, 425 30th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM with services to follow on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at The Patino Hall at 10:00 AM and graveside service at 12:30 PM at Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA 93203.