posted
Bob Harper passed away on Thursday June 12 at his home near Kansas City. He was about 88 years old. (The Letterheads celebrated Bob's 80th birthday at the 2000 Boise meet, but character that he was, he admitted later that he had just rounded it off to an even number and it seemed like a good time to have a birthday party.) Bob painted signs all over the country, but is probably best known for the showcards he did back in the 50s and 60s in Las Vegas. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday June 18 at the Pleasanton Cemetery, Pleasanton, KS, which is about 60 miles south of Kansas City, just off Hwy 69. Cards and other messages can be sent to Bob's companion, Kim at: 8101 Santa Fe Drive Apt #204 Overland Park, KS 66204
Kim can also be reached at 913-383-8854.
Posts: 1 | From: Broomfield, CO | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm so sorry to hear that. Bob was a true legend. Thanks for letting us know.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I spoke with Bob a few years back and he was often a conversation when I worked closed to Emmett Morelli when I resided in Vegas in the late 80's Emmetts shop was directly next store to mine. I was always to understand that Bob wasn't feeling so good when we spoke in the past 5 years and I figure his life just caught up to him.
God bless him
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
Thank you for informing us Eddie. I last heard from Bob at Christmas.
What a loss. What a character. What a gift to the profession. What stories he had to tell.
Some people leave an imprint that reaches farther than arms length.
His life can probably be summed up in one word . . . colorful!!
Jody and I got to be great friends with Bob about 11 years ago. She was the one who bought the cakes in Boise for Bob and Lucy Weber . . . that rascal rounded up his age . . .
THAT was vintage Bob . . .
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
What a special character. Bob and I were friends from way back because we both shared a love for show cards.
There was no other like Bob Harper and probably never will be again.
Bob was a true showman, not only with his great manipulation with a brush, but also the stories he told. I'm sure some were even true.
Hair! Bob's hair was unique...and he kept it all his life, even though it turned silver.
And he loved the ladies. Anywhere Bob was in attendance and there were women present (especially young women) you could find Harper right there in the middle of the them.
The last time I saw Bob in person was at Fred's several years ago and he "held court" there just like the old days. As he was leaving one day he came up to me while I was lettering a panel and whispered in my ear, "You've still got it." That was probably the best compliment I have ever received.
Man, I loved that guy. He will be greatly missed.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry to hear about his passing. I did get to meet him in Boise. What a guy, and very talented. He will be greatly missed...
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I only met Bob briefly back in '85, but certainly have been inspired by his work. The last generation of real cardwriters. May he rest in peace.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I remember him most from Vinton Walldogs. The details don't matter.
It is sad he has past but he led a full life. Hell, he lived enough for two lives.
What a guy...
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
i met bob harper at freds meet a few years ago too. what a character! he was talking to me and ray chapman was an earshot away. he was saying stuff like...ya see that guy? he thinks he's good but he doesn't have nothing on me...he wishes he was as good as me. then i would hear ray tell his son(cause they were just a few feet away)...look at him...he thinks he's quite the ladies man flirting with all the girls. i was like wow...i'm sure they can hear each other...then i realized they were totally kidding around....and had a good laugh. he did have some amazing hair!!!! rest in peace bob~
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
i met him at mark fairs meet. great guy. just to have talked to him, he made you feel like you wanted to spend more time with him he teased me bout my hair.....imagine that!!!! talent like his, is what we all wish for.....
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Very sad to hear about Bob. I'll never forget the time he and Terry Teague came here for a get-together. We all went to a local barbeque place for lunch and Bob was having trouble with his dentures. So, inorder to eat Bob removed his false teeth, then left them lying on the seat in the restaurant. He didn't realize it for some time and couldn't remember if he had taken them out at my house the night before or at lunch that day. I don't think he ever found them. It's kind of funny now but ole Bob sure wasn't laughing then.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I sure will miss talking to Bob, I had known him for 50 plus years. He'd often come by "on his way" wherever that was. He and Dad would swap shocard and bulletin stories which switched to me after Dad was gone. I spent many hours working with him and swapping lies in various locations. It's nice to know there is a Bob Harper collection at the museum.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
God Bless Bob Harper...I've known of Bob since My apprenticeship days... he left Colorado Sign Company the same year I started there as an apprentice.
We met up again around in the 70's and kept in touch til just recently as I lost track of him and his moving around.
I loved calling him on the phone and just visiting with him about all the people we knew in common from over the years. He loved a good story and was quite the ladies man in the day.
I'll miss him and his "codger" ways...
He was the only guy I ever met that knew why my Mauhl stick was so long...he came up to me at one of Fred's meets one time when I had it there and he says to me ..."You're a chart guy eh?"
(The length of the maul was for running straight lines for large charts working at a 4' bench)
You'll be missed by all Bob ..."Happy Trails"
By the way Bob told me (about 2 years back)that he was 89. I'm reasonably sure he was telling the truth...but you know Bob...
[ June 16, 2008, 09:06 AM: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
posted
Someone said it: What a full life Bob had. No, he was bigger than life--both in his stories and his showcard work. I was so glad he could be at the Grand Opening of the Museum, and even prouder to be able to display his work permanently. He entrusted the museum with the first showcard he ever did: Done in 1938 when he was 15, he told me. I still remember him "holding court" during the opening, telling his stories. And I still remember his impromptu "workshop" at the Denver meet. Thanks so much Bob.
-------------------- Tod Swormstedt American Sign Museum 407 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202 ph 800-925-1110, ext 336 fx 513-421-5144 Posts: 35 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bob Harper led a fascinating life and was a great talent. I met him a few times and we mulled over his show cards. He had a story for each piece. Lovely man, awesome talent, great sense of humour. This is indeed sad news. My condolences to his family.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I really hope his portfolio has stayed intact and that it has gone to someone that will keep it that way...it would be such a shame to have his work disipate every which way.
Hopefully it went to or will go to the sign museum.
I loved his layouts!
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
posted
Bob Harper was a great guy and artist. I've been offline for a while and did read the posts but didn't have my password handy. Such a loss. I know that Debbie Delzell was writing a book with him about his life. If anyone wants that you may find her as she is in Columbus, OH to the last of my knowledge. Bob, we are missing you greatly. Such a sweet man always keeping folks smiling. I met him in Vinton, OH.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
I will cherish till my death the times spent with, around and next to Bob, one of the greats...
To try and put it all into words now is an impossible chore, Bob was one in a million and will be sorely missed alongside those greats before him, whose names will circulate amongest those of us when we gather and reminsce, God speed ol' friend...
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry to hear the loss of another great artist, his work and inspiration will live on. AJ
-------------------- Alan Johnson Alan Johnson Grafix Blairstown, NJ 07825 [URL=http://www.alanjohnsongrafix.com] Posts: 261 | From: Blairstown, NJ | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic