Robert P Harrod

Bob was a journalist, genealogist, biographical researcher, and lifelong lover of history, art, and the written word. He lived much of his professional life in New York, where he built a distinguished career in advertising with major newspapers, including the New York Daily News and Newsday. He was known for his intelligence, wit and deep knowledge of historical records and storytelling.

He attended Savannah High School and studied journalism at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, where he was also a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Bob’s love of art began early. He started painting while still in grammar school and became an extremely talented artist. That creative and intellectual curiosity stayed with him throughout his life.

After graduation, Bob served in the military. He then began his career in advertising while continuing to devote himself to research, history, and writing. Following his newspaper career, he continued his lifelong passion for historical and biographical research. He contributed to and wrote numerous artist biographies and research entries to AskArt, a respected art reference database used by collectors, historians, and researchers. His dedication to preserving history also extended to genealogical work and historical writing, including research collections connected to the history of Savannah, Georgia, and the Johnny Harris Restaurant, a local’s favorite.

He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, generosity, love of the arts, passion for coin collecting and his devotion to family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving partner of 51 years, Dr. Jerrold Ross; his parents, Nellie LaTrelle Syms Harrod and Walker Theodore Harrod, Sr.; his brother, Walker Theodore Harrod, Jr. of Savannah, Georgia; and his sister, Betty LaTrelle Harrod Stokes of Dallas, Texas.

Bob is survived by his sister, Carolyn Ann Harrod Fabrikant of Savannah, Georgia; his nieces and nephews, Belinda Stokes Fox (Gary) of Dallas, Texas, Abbot Christopher Stokes of Dallas, Texas, LaTrelle Fabrikant Ferrelle (Chas) of Savannah, Georgia, and Renee Fabrikant of Savannah, Georgia. He was especially proud of his great-nieces and great-nephews, Ramsey Allen, Charlie Ferrelle (Hadley), Wyatt Ferrelle, Lindsey Tommey Salloum (Dan) and Joseph Tommey (Joannie), and his great-great-nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by extended family, dear friends, and his beloved cat, Ms. Coco.

A private remembrance will be held by the family.