Obituary for Robert E. Harris Jr.
In lieu of flowers the family ask for monetary donations to be sent to the House of Day.
In Loving Celebratory Memory of
Robert “Cass” E. Harris Jr.
Sunrise: March 8, 1941 – Sunset: January 14, 2019
Robert E. Harris Jr. was the second of thirteen children born to Robert and Dorothy Harris on March 8th, of 1941. Under the guidance and pastorate of Martin H. Hawkins, at Wabash-Zion COGIC, Robert and Dorothy raised Robert Jr. He became known to friends and family as Bob.
The early years of Bob’s life were shaped by biblical principles, family and music. As the family grew, Robert helped his parents to take care of his siblings. Bob and his two brothers Benjamin and Joseph were gifted different instruments by Pastor M.H. “Dad” Hawkins. After receiving musical instruction from their Mother and Father, the Harris boys, along with some of the other young men from Wabash, played in the church band. Bob served at Wabash-Zion and learned from his father the principles of hard work and giving.
Bob attended and graduated from Edward Drummond Libbey High School, and from there joined the United States Air Force. After his time in the Air Force, Bob began to travel as a Jazz trumpeter. His gift awarded him the privilege to play with many jazz and gospel greats over six decades, such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Daniel “Wally” Hawkins of the Hawkins family singers, Sonny Stitt, John Coltrane and many others. Bob was the first band leader of the original Whispers male vocal group, using the stage name “Cass” Harris. After he left off traveling as a musician, Bob began his career at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where he worked for 15 years.
Bob retired from the University of Michigan and returned to Toledo to live and reconnect with his family. Even though he was retired, Bob continued to travel on the weekends and teach aspiring young musicians. He also recorded with several well-known artists on their projects.
Bob was loved and treasured by his family and the Wabash-Zion COGIC family. In 2014, he confessed to his brother Supt. Joseph Harris, that God had saved him. Bob kept that testimony, his faith in God and his salvation, until his final day. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; Robert Sr. and Dorothy Harris, his sisters Patricia, Mildred and Charlene and his brothers; Benjamin and Joseph. He leaves to cherish his memory his brothers; Michael, Charles, Martin and Mack, and sisters; Ilene, Sarah and Mollyanne. His sons, Robert III and Tahan; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
In Loving Celebratory Memory of
Robert “Cass” E. Harris Jr.
Sunrise: March 8, 1941 – Sunset: January 14, 2019
Robert E. Harris Jr. was the second of thirteen children born to Robert and Dorothy Harris on March 8th, of 1941. Under the guidance and pastorate of Martin H. Hawkins, at Wabash-Zion COGIC, Robert and Dorothy raised Robert Jr. He became known to friends and family as Bob.
The early years of Bob’s life were shaped by biblical principles, family and music. As the family grew, Robert helped his parents to take care of his siblings. Bob and his two brothers Benjamin and Joseph were gifted different instruments by Pastor M.H. “Dad” Hawkins. After receiving musical instruction from their Mother and Father, the Harris boys, along with some of the other young men from Wabash, played in the church band. Bob served at Wabash-Zion and learned from his father the principles of hard work and giving.
Bob attended and graduated from Edward Drummond Libbey High School, and from there joined the United States Air Force. After his time in the Air Force, Bob began to travel as a Jazz trumpeter. His gift awarded him the privilege to play with many jazz and gospel greats over six decades, such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Daniel “Wally” Hawkins of the Hawkins family singers, Sonny Stitt, John Coltrane and many others. Bob was the first band leader of the original Whispers male vocal group, using the stage name “Cass” Harris. After he left off traveling as a musician, Bob began his career at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where he worked for 15 years.
Bob retired from the University of Michigan and returned to Toledo to live and reconnect with his family. Even though he was retired, Bob continued to travel on the weekends and teach aspiring young musicians. He also recorded with several well-known artists on their projects.
Bob was loved and treasured by his family and the Wabash-Zion COGIC family. In 2014, he confessed to his brother Supt. Joseph Harris, that God had saved him. Bob kept that testimony, his faith in God and his salvation, until his final day. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; Robert Sr. and Dorothy Harris, his sisters Patricia, Mildred and Charlene and his brothers; Benjamin and Joseph. He leaves to cherish his memory his brothers; Michael, Charles, Martin and Mack, and sisters; Ilene, Sarah and Mollyanne. His sons, Robert III and Tahan; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.