Bob Harris

Robert Ward Harris, Jr., longtime resident of East Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Harris (née Stone) and Robert Ward Harris, Sr., and by his sister, Nancy Harris (David) Hamilton. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Amy (née Gray). He also leaves behind his children: Robert “Ward” (Tina) Harris III of Punta Gorda, FL, and Laura Lindsey (George) Bogdan of Duluth, GA.; grandsons, Andrew “Gray” Harris and Dimitri Robert Bogdan. He is further survived by his brother-in-law, Russell D. (Mary Ann) Gray of Cincinnati, OH, as well as one niece and two nephews, who will cherish his memory. 

Bob graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1960. He was a passionate entrepreneur and along with his love of people and gregarious personality, he was a natural salesman. His business career included 25 years of sales and management in the furniture, plastics, and general merchandise businesses. Bob co-founded Universal Sales and Marketing and served as Vice President.

Bob was well known for his humor. He loved music and drumming, enjoyed riding his moped and spending winters in Florida.

A celebration gathering of Bob’s life will be held Friday, January 23rd from 2 to 5pm at  the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. A private family service and internment will be held later this year at Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, OH.

Memorial contributions can made to the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation or to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Research Fund “Dickie V’s V Foundation” (www.v.org).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bob Harris, please visit our floral store.