Harrington, Robert Wesley

HARRINGTON, CLARK, MILLAGE, RILEY, PHINNEY

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 6/14/2013 at 11:09:24

Robert Wesley Harrington, 82, Clear Lake, died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005, at the
Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa. A funeral service was
held Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, with the Rev.
Jan R. Burnett officiating. Full military rites were conducted, following the
service at the church, by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Interment will be at a later
date in the Clear Lake Cemetery.

Robert was born June 27, 1923, on the family farm in Murdo, S.D., the son of
Raymond W. and Twila L. (Clark) Harrington. They moved to a farm in
Vermillion, S.D. and he attended and graduated from Vermillion Schools in 1941.

At the age of 17, Bob became interested in boxing. He was self trained, built
his own boxing ring and trained more than 200 young boys. Bob was one of the
best boxers in South Dakota. After high school Bob continued to work on his
father's farm until being drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944. He worked as a
radio operator on a ship all over the Pacific until the end of the war. He then
moved back to the family farm.

Bob met Ethel Millage at a social dance and the rest is history. They married
Dec. 14, 1947 and bought a farm outside Vermillion. A while later they moved
into town and Bob started carpentry work. They later moved to Yankton, S.D.
where Bob was the first worker at the Gavins Point Dam. He became the Chief
Steward of the Union. In 1956, he took a job with Henkle Construction in Mason
City. Soon after he went into the insurance industry and moved to Clear Lake
on the north shore. Robert became one of the top 10 insurance salesmen in the
USA for Lincoln Liberty Life. He had the honor of being in the Appa Week Club
for 15 1/2 years for selling at least one policy a week. Robert continued in
the insurance business until 1995 when he retired.

He was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, the Clear Lake
V.F.W., the Masonic Lodge (Worshipful Master), the Eastern Star, and White
Shrine.

Some of his fondest memories are of watching his children grow up and then
watching his five grandchildren grow. Family has always been everything to
Robert and his desire to be close to them and help them achieve their goals has
been clearly seen in all he has done.

He has also enjoyed his trips to Acapulco, Mexico, and the Black Hills in South
Dakota. He loved to go camping, fishing, and most of all hunting for rabbits
and pheasant. Robert gives this advice: "Be a fighter! Go to the top of
wherever you are at! Never give up! Love your family and stick to teamwork!"
Ethel says that her husband has never been a quitter. He has also always put
every effort into loving people and truly showing he cares. She says that he
has always been a quiet man and has never had much to say, but you can see his
faith shining through in everything. He knows that the Lord has been taking
care of him, especially through the hard times.

Growing up on the farm in South Dakota, Bob's father took great pride in
celebrating Christmas to the fullest. The tree went up early and the entire
house was decorated. Bob continued this tradition for his children and
grandchildren.

As expressed by his granddaughter, Sheri Riley, in 1997, "What I admire the most
in my Grandpa Robert is what I have seen in the last two years through all his
physical difficulties. He has shown me true perseverance when all the odds
have been against him. Instead of giving up when doctors said there was not
much of a chance, grandpa kept fighting! With God's strength he has overcome
many obstacles. His life is a true miracle!" Eight years later, her words
became only too true.

Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ethel Harrington, Clear Lake; two
sons, David Harrington and his wife, Janelle, Clear Lake; and Steven Harrington
and his wife, Phyllis, Sioux City, Iowa; one daughter, Pam Riley and her
husband, Scott, Burnsville, Minn.; five grandchildren, John Harrington and his
wife, Kristie, Oklahoma City, Okla., Sheri Prescott and her husband, Tony,
Sierra Vista, Az., Willem Riley, Burnsville, Adam and Amber Harrington, Sioux
City; four great-grandchildren, Bethany, Brandon, and Bailey Harrington, and
Savannah Prescott; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine Phinney; brother,
Gordon Harrington and an infant sister.