Dr. Richard F. Harker

Richard Frank Harker died Monday, June 21, 2021 at his home. He was born on May 26, 1933 in Aurora, Illinois to Ferdinand and Helen (Bornemon) Harker. He married Sharon Anne Trummel in 1955. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

After growing up on a farm in Bristol Station, Illinois and attending Yorkville High School, he attended Iowa State University, College of Veterinarian Medicine. After graduating in 1957, he joined Dr Robert Swinderman and the Kewanee Veterinary Clinic. The practice added Dr. Roger Kuffel in 1963. As a veterinarian, Doc Harker was recognized as a skilled and versatile clinician and surgeon, who could, with precision, neuter a cat, execute a cesarean section in a feed lot, vaccinate hogs, and calculate the nutritional needs of a cow head. After 35 years of practice, he officially retired in 1992 but continued to work for many years on a part-time basis.

Richard was a beloved son, husband, and father. He and Sharon had eight, married children: Anthony (Andy) and Tammy (VanCourt) of Kewanee, Howard (Gene) and Lynette (Katz) of Indianapolis, IN; Anne and David Grimm of Auburn, IN; Paul and Brenda (Chance) of Gilbert AZ; David and Tami (Shinkevich) of Kewanee; Sue and Steve Bondurant of Indianapolis, IN; Larry and Terri (Moore) of Lebanon, IN; and Peggy and Lance Lammott of Indianapolis, IN. They had 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Grandpa Doc was known for his inimitable love for his family. He rarely missed his children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s sporting events. And mealtime was always a family affair.

A model airplane enthusiast, he built rubber band powered and small gas engine model airplanes. For many years, he was a guest lecturer in his daughter Anne’s physics class at Annawan High School, where he taught the physics of flight and helped students construct and test-fly their own model plane. He and, his wife, Sharon helped these same physics students construct model bridges for a competition at Bradley University.

He was an instructor at Black Hawk East College for 14 years, where he taught Animal Health and Economics. A member of First Christian Church in Kewanee, he was often found in the same pew, where he was known to distribute hard candies to anyone who’d ask.

He enjoyed building, repairing, general fix-it, gardening, farming, time with family, fly fishing, helping friends, math, teaching, problem-solving. There was little he couldn’t do or figure-out.

Of primary importance, Richard was a loving husband to Sharon. They were inseparable - accomplishing everything together. Their legacy is a one of “we.”

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 25 at the First Christian Church in Kewanee. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the services at the church. Cremation will be accorded following the services. Memorial funds may be directed to be used at the First Christian Church for a PA system in the sanctuary. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements.

One of his signature sayings was, “How do you like your eggs, over?”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Richard F. Harker, please visit our floral store.