Robert K. Harenberg
05/19/1934 - 09/24/2021
Robert K. Harenberg Jr. passed away at home on September 24,
2021, after a long illness. He was born to Helen and Robert
Harenberg Sr. on May 19, 1934 in Urbana, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, son, David
Harenberg, his sister, Patricia Harenberg Kammerer, step mother,
Tommy Lou Meeks and a dear nephew, Kevin DePeugh.
He is survived by his wife Ellen Harenberg, a step daughter Christine
(Alan) Hightower, a step brother, Ed (Barbara) Culpepper, several
nieces and nephews: Carol (Gil) Luers, Cary Kammerer, Celeeste
(Greg) Hall, Jon (Hayley) Broughton, and Jason (Amanda) Broughton.
He attended Stivers high school in Dayton Ohio and Illinois Central
College, Peoria, Illinois.
At the age of 17 Bob left Dayton, Ohio and enlisted in the navy. He
served aboard the USS Manchester as a gunner’s mate during the
Korean war from 1951 to 1953. In 1953 after discharge from the navy
he went to work for NCR. He then went to work for Midwest Beer
Distributing in Dayton, Ohio. His years in Ohio prompted a love of his
Ohio State Buckeyes and he was an avid follower all of his life. He
moved to Huntsville Alabama to manage the White beer distributor.
While in Huntsville, he began his auto racing career by joining Nascar
and ARCA and spending his week-ends winning on the local tracks.
Returning to Dayton Ohio in the 1970s, he became manager and
salesman for Coy distributing. Later he decided the open road was for
him and he began driving a semi truck for Coy Distributing. In 1980
He began driving for Ben C Williams distribution where he moved up
the ranks to be manager of the Illinois division.
He married Ellen in 1983 and made his home in Pekin Illinois where
he was a member of Sunset Hills Country Club. In 2006 they left
Pekin to make their retirement home in Venice, Florida.
After arriving in Florida he worked as a bridge tender for a short time,
then joined Jacaranda West Country Club in Venice where he spent
many enjoyable hours on the golf course and in the club house with
the many friends he made there.
Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Tidewell hospice, 3550
S. Tamiami trail, #6014, Sarasota, Florida 34239 or Autism Society of
America, 5007 East Armstrong Ave, Peoria, Illinois 61603
Services will be announced at a later date. Burial will be at Sarasota
National Military Cemetery, in Sarasota Florida. Arrangements are
being made by Your Traditions Cremation and Funeral Chapel,
Sarasota, Florida.