Robert Lyle Harbison

He was born on December 10,1934 on the farm in Montgomery County, to Raymond and Frances (Sewell) Harbison. He was a graduate of Waveland High School “Class of 1953”. Robert joined the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska for two years. Then joined the Army Reserves in 1957. Robert married Mischa (Harbison) Harbison on July 28, 1957, and became a father to a daughter Sara Beth and son Rex Lee.

He went on to graduate from Indiana State University receiving his Bachelors, Masters, and Specialist Degree in education.

Robert joined the Greencastle School System in 1959 to 1997, where he wore many hats. Junior high basketball coach, teacher, and then assistant principal; Principal at Jones, then both Jones and Ridpath Elementary; Greencastle High School Principal; Assistant superintendent and then high school principal again,

He attended all sports and extracurricular activities. Missing only five basketball games from 1959 to 1997, also running the clock from 1959 until 1980. Robert had the honor of having the Greencastle High School football field named after him and was still attending football, Volleyball and basketball games until 2025.

His life has always been the Greencastle School system next to his family

In the summer months he painted houses until he became an administrator. He became principal at Mill Creek Elementary for one year and then returned to the Greencastle School system a couple of times. Also doing some substitute teaching for a while.

After his retirement he mowed the Sports Park and was a janitor for two summers at Miller Elementary School.

Robert was a member of Cummins Mental Health, serving as president for a while. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.

He attended the Indianapolis 500 from 1956 to 2021.

Always owning a boat, his children growing up enjoying boating. Having started boating on the Ohio with a group of friends, the family became known as the “Putnam Pirates”. He also loved to camp and motorcycle.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen & her husband Richard Swearingen and brother Lowell & his wife Virginia Harbison.

Robert is survived by his wife Mischa, Sara Beth & George Amonette, and Rex Lee Harbison.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Robert to the Robert L. Harbison Family Scholarship Endowment c/o the Putnam County Foundation or the Alzheimer's Foundation.