Robert “Bob” A. Harty, 92, of Dallas, Texas, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 5, 2024. He was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on April 30, 1932 to Joe Chapman and Hettie Lois Harty, their only child. Bob was a man who lived with a heart full of love, an unwavering faith in Jesus, and a joy that radiated to all who knew him. He married the love of his life, Katherine Annelle Bills, on August 27, 1954, and together they built a life centered on faith, family and service until her death in 2022.
After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1950, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from North Texas State University, and a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Minister of Music/Education in several churches in Texas – First Baptist Church Lewisville, First Baptist Church Farmers Branch, and First Baptist Church Canyon. In 1964, Bob joined the church training staff at the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The family moved to Nashville, TN in 1965 where he worked for the Baptist Sunday School Board writing children’s curriculum, providing training to church workers, and co-authored a children’s book with Annelle titled “Made to Grow”. In 1970, they returned to Dallas and took ownership of J.C. Harty Publications, “The Shopping News”, and Harty’s Printing until his retirement.
Bob and Annelle were long time members of Wilshire Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, pre-school Sunday School teacher, planned activities/trips for the senior adult Adventurers, and was a charter member of the “New Song Community Choir”. Bob was a man of great faith, full of boundless energy and creativity, and cherished time surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved music, art, traveling and treasured time spent with family and friends at their house in Paris, TX.
Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Annelle, his parents, his sister-in-law, Sarah Gambill, and his nephew, Danny Gambill. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Noland and her husband, Kim; his daughter, Julie Kampfer; and his son, Robert A. Harty, Jr. and his wife, Carter. Bob and Annelle were blessed with nine grandchildren – Amy Kampfer Lovell (Jerry), Trey Kampfer (Katie), Matthew Noland, Tripp Harty (Courtney), Sarah Noland Mankin (Cody), Daniel Kampfer (Melaina), Jamie Harty, Sean Noland (Ashley), and Hunter Harty (Maury), and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law, Glen Gambill, his niece, Gail Gambill King and family, and his late nephew’s family.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Wilshire Baptist Church, McIver Chapel on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following. A graveside service will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, Texas at 3:30 p.m. Sarah Stafford, director of New Song Community Choir, will be officiating the services. Pallbearers will be his seven grandsons.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to the New Song Community Choir at www.newsongchoir.org, or can be mailed to: New Song Community Choir, 505 W. State St., Garland, TX 75040. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Bob’s amazing caregivers from AmeriTouch Home Health and Home Care Services.
