Robert “Bob” G. Harter, 89, of Bluffton, passed away Thursday evening, July 24, 2025, at Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne.
Robert was born in Wells County on Feb. 6, 1936, to Carl and Maxine (Garton) Harter. He married JoAnn Baumgartner on April 19, 1980. She preceded him in death on July 28, 1992.
Robert graduated from Bluffton High School in 1955 and attended Union Chapel in Bryant. He worked for Franklin Electric for 40 years until he retired in 1999. He was into photography for over 50 years and shot over 500 weddings. He was an avid Bluffton High School sports fan and enjoyed taking photographs of Bluffton sporting events. He enjoyed fishing trips to Wisconsin, collecting WWII aircraft, woodworking and was a builder of many different models.
Survivors include two daughters, Debra (Mike) O’Dell of Berne and Sally (Jeff) Bailey of Plant City, Florida; a sister, Betty Dellinger of Fort Wayne; six grandchildren, Jessie (Jaci) O’Dell, Jeffery (Erica) Love, Jarvis Love, Jagger Love, Douglas Bennett and Jessica (Brian) Bailey; along with 13 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.
Aside from his parents and wife, Robert was preceded in death by a daughter, Becky Love; three brothers, William “Bill”, Jack and Mike Harter; along with two sisters, Janice King and Pat Mertz.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 4 until 7 p.m., at Goodwin – Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Tony Garton will officiate.
Burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wells County Youth Sports in care of the Mental Attitude Award or the Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana.
Online condolences may be made at www.goodwincaleharnish.com