Robert Stephen Harris

Robert Stephen Harris, 76, of Coralville, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, Iowa. A private Celebration of Life will be held a later date. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, assisted the family.

Robert was born August 16, 1949, in Manchester, Iowa, the son of George and Amber (Hebron) Harris. He graduated from West Delaware High School. He then went to Central College in Pella, Iowa and The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. On February 11, 2005, Robert was united in marriage to Emelyn Sanchez in Manchester. He worked for The University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics, retiring in 2017.

Robert loved teaching his kids about the world, taking them to museums, botanical gardens, and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. He enjoyed collecting fossils, especially geodes, and going to the Devonian Fossil Gorge. Robert liked to go canoeing on the Maquoketa River, play tennis, and bike RAGBRAI which he did twice with his nephew, Chad. If you listen to any Beatles or Eagles albums, those were the epitome of his philosophy in life.

Survivors include his wife, Emelyn Harris; daughter, Elwie (Johnny) Ferrell; son, Ely (Hariet) Harris; sister, Elinor Fields; nieces, Margaret Bousselot, and Renee Hu; nephew, Chad Fields; as well as many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aunt Betsy, Grandmother Hebron, and Grandma and Grandpa Harris.

Memorials can be made out to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hopsice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa.