Robert Bob’ Louis Hary, 71, died of heart failure at his home on Marrowstone Island on May 28, 2007.
He was born on May 2, 1936, to Frank Lawrence and Mary Alice (Speyer) in Havre. He married Sarah (Sally) Josephine Kulstad on June 15, 1965 in Lafayette, Calif. Bob was raised in Ordnance, Ore., and then moved to Portland, Ore., where he attended Columbia Prep High School and University of Portland, where he received his degree in industrial engineering. In 1975, he received a master’s degree in human relations from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. In 1958, after college, he became an officer and a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. His career involved flying WB-47s all over the world, including one of the first and last weather missions over the North Pole. He also flew AC-130 Spectre Gunships in the Vietnam War from 1970-71, where he received four distinguished flying crosses and numerous other medals of honor. In 1979, he retired after 20 years in the Air Force from McChord A.F.B. in Tacoma, Wash. He then moved to Marrowstone Island with his family to build their dream home, which is where Bob lived for 29 years. He also worked six years as a guard and courier at Indian Island. His hobbies after building his home included clearing their four acres of woods and keeping them looking like a park. He loved cutting and splitting wood, playing pool and cribbage and was an avid Notre Dame football fan. Over the last 10 years, he had been writing his memoirs, of which he completed more than 100 stories. For the last 17 years, he was very active in the church, and started the rosary makers group. He alone made 65,000 rosaries, which were sent all over the world. His life was devoted to God, his family and his country. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert James in 1990. Survivors include his wif, Sarah; daughter, Alice (Allie) Marie and son-in-law Mike Miller of Portland, Oregon; and several aunts and uncles. A funeral service was held June 2 at St. Marys Star of the Sea Catholic Church followed by burial with a full military honor guard at Soundview Cemetery on Marrowstone Island. Memorial contributions can be made to Mother Theresa’s Sisters of Charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Boys Town.
