Rear Admiral Robert G. Harrison

Rear Admiral Robert G. Harrison, born July 25, 1936, died on December 10, 2022, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Evansville. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Shirley A. Harrison; three daughters: Kim H. Painter (Eddie) of Alpharetta, GA; Kris H. Hemphill (Scott) of Bethlehem, PA; and Julie H. Leap (Darren) of Vienna, VA: eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his sister Jan Rideout (Mike) of Fairfield Glade, TN. He was a member of Henderson First Baptist Church and served in the Navy. He had family and farming interests in Henderson and returned to this area after his retirement from the service. He graduated from Barret Manual Training High School and won a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. Upon graduation from the University of Louisville with a mechanical engineering degree, he was commissioned an ensign and entered naval flight training at Pensacola, Florida. After earning his pilot’s wings, he flew antisubmarine warfare missions from the aircraft carriers USS Lake Champlain, USS Forrestal, and USS Independence. In 1965, he entered the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California for the study of aeronautical engineering and in 1967 was awarded the degree of Aeronautical Engineer. He then held a series of assignments with increasing responsibilities in the areas of research, development, test and evaluation, production, and support of naval aircraft and weapons systems. During those assignments he maintained his flying skills in a range of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. While assigned on the West Coast, he attended night school at the University of Southern California where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Management. In 1987 he was selected for rear admiral lower half (one star grade) and served in several flag assignments with responsibilities for engineering and fleet support. In 1992 he was promoted to rear admiral (two star grade) and served as Deputy Commander for Acquisition and Operations, Naval Air Systems Command, an organization of about 44,000 people. His awards include the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. After returning to the Henderson area, he built a home on one of the farms and purchased additional farm land. He also maintained his interest and contacts with the aerospace industry and served on the boards for two corporations, Griffon Corporation and Indra Systems. Relatives and friends are invited to Robert’s Life Celebration from 11:00 a.m. until the service time on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Sam Hinkson officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Henderson, KY. Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Worsham Post #40. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church, 307 Center St, Henderson, KY 42420, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741. Arrangements entrusted to Benton- Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com

Rear Admiral Robert G. Harrison

July 25, 1936 - December 10, 2022