Rochester, NY: May 6, 2020 at age 80 after a heroic battle with lung cancer. Bob was born on June 20, 1939 and is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Wanda Harris of Oneonta and brother Richard of Rochester. He is survived by his lifetime companion and husband, Andrew Dudash and brother-in-law, Joseph Dudash (Donna), sister-in-law, Shirley Noone, several nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Bob was a graduate of the University of Albany. He worked as a high school English teacher in Harpursville, NY as well as in Greece and Penfield, before spending many years employed at Nathan’s Soup & Salad on Park Ave. Bob was previously a co-owner of Chatsworth Antiques on Monroe Ave. Bob enjoyed gardening, theater, oriental art and the friendship of many dear friends. He beautifully landscaped the corner house he shared with his husband.
Please send donations in Bob’s memory to Pluta Cancer Center, 125 Red Creek Dr., Rochester, NY 14623 or Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450. A gathering of friends will be announced at a later date.
And our world is now smaller and poorer. He possessed great wit and charm and delighted us no end.
So very sorry!
I met Bob personally only a year ago but had heard about him for many years from Andrew, Shirley and my sister Linda who went to Albany State. Andrew met him there. I spent some time last April visiting Andy at their beautiful home and I was immediately impressed by Bob’s charm, honesty, and love of beauty. My deepest sympathy for his loss.
My sincere condolences to the many people whose lives he touched. I remember Bob from Nathan”s. May he Rest In Peace.
Sending you so much love and support in these sad times. I remain in awe of the happy years you spent together, and hope the memories will buoy your heart during this difficult period. Love, Drew
Bob was a dear and cherished friend for many, many years. He added a depth and breadth to my life and helped to open the world before my eyes. He showed me how to be proud of who I was and his passing will leave a void that can’t be filled. Thank you Bob for all that you were. I will miss you terribly until we meet again.
Sending my condolences. May Bob rest in peace. comfort and love.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, –and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of –Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
By John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Andy, Marv and I are so very sorry for your loss. As usual, words can’t express what we feel although the poem above is just lovely and manages to do so with elegance. Take care of yourself my friend, you are in our thoughts at this most difficult time, Marv and Moni
Andy I was so distressed to read of Bob’s passing. We were buddys many years ago. I will miss his laugh and wit. May you have peace in this difficult time.
Dear Andrew,
I adored Bob Harris. He was creative, clever, challenging, and a cherished colleague when we taught in Penfield High School beginning in 1973. I knew OF Bob for a few years before then when he had been a teacher at “the other” junior high school and I had been at the newer one. It was a joy to work with Bob on ninth grade English projects as we attempted to institute “team teaching.” Bob left a powerful gap in our school when he decided to leave teaching, but his influence was felt for many years after, as so many of us continued to rely on his creative approach to our subject matter. May he rest in peace. With enduring admiration, Pat Cullen VanKouwenberg