Cliff Buchan
News EditorBob Harrington would think nothing of climbing behind the wheel of his car and driving to Wyoming from St. Paul on a winterís day, no matter the weather.
Keep in mind that Harrington was 96 and pushing 97 at the time. And he was driving an old Plymouth with nearly 300,000 miles.
Harrington, the man who loved the Wyoming area and loved to come visit, has died. Harrington died Wednesday, Nov. 24 in St. Paul where he had moved in 1998 to be closer to family.
He reached his 100th birthday on Aug. 29, 2004.
That Harrington would have the drive to keep coming back to his former home area is not surprising. Harrington worked until he was 81 and only stopped working at that age because of some hip and back pain.
Harrington was no stranger in the Wyoming area. His contacts here date to 1972.
That was when Harrington and his wife, Lillian, found a home at the Linwood Terrace Mobile Home Park in Linwood Township. Lillian passed away in 1986 after nearly 60 years of marriage.
A year later, Bob Harrington moved to an apartment in Wyoming.
The area has fast become Harringtonís favorite stomping grounds. After years of traveling, he was happy to be in one spot, he once said.
Born in Waterloo, IA, Harrington managed several work careers.
As a young man he worked in the meat packing business for Swift & Co. where he logged 10 years. He spent the next 30 years traveling the Upper Midwest working on sewer and water installation construction projects.
He tried retirement at age 64 but found sitting around not to his liking. It lasted just a year and in 1969 Harrington signed on at Apache Plaza in St. Paul. He worked for a short time as a security guard but secured an opening in the mallís janitorial department where he worked for 17 years.
He was a spry 81 when he finally retired for good in 1986.
ìIf it werenít for my back and hip, Iíd still be working today,î Harrington said in a 1996 interview.
When he moved to St. Paul in 1998 to be closer to his children and their families, Harrington made it a point to keep his Wyoming contacts.
He came to Wyoming to bank at First State Bank of Wyoming and insisted on haircuts from Russellís Barber Shop. The Cornerstone Pub & Prime was one of his favorite dining spots.
Harringtonís driving days came to a close about two years ago.
He still held close to his ties in the area, however, and cherished his friends here. The barbers from Russellís made regular trips to St. Paul to cut the hair of one of their best customers.
Funeral details
A funeral service for Robert C. Harrington, 100, of St. Paul, was Monday, Nov. 29 at Sunnyside Free Lutheran Church. Interment was at Linwood Cemetery.
He is survived by his children, Robert Harrington, Joyce (Clyde) Bramhall, and John (Barbara) Harrington; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian, and one brother, John.
Top of Page
