Robert Harrington

Robert L. Harrington passed away on April 2, 2020 at his home at the age of 72.  He was born August 24, 1947 in Kansas City, KS the son of Roman and Wilma Harrington.

Bob graduated Shawnee Mission North High School in 1965.  After graduating, Bob was drafted into the Army and was deployed to Vietnam. Bob served 3 years in the US Army.

Bob met the love of his life, Debbie, on a blind date in 1969.  They married a year later and just celebrated 50 years of marriage.  They had the kind of marriage everyone looked up to.  They encouraged each other and gave each other their space to do the things they loved.  But at the end of the day they were always there for each other.  They have 2 children, David and Lisa.

Bob had several different careers in his life.  As a teenager he worked for Homer Castle building manholes. He worked for Joe Pflumm Plumbing and Jo. Co. Water District No.1. He started in the HVAC business by working for his uncle at Myers Furnace Co.  After being in the business for many years, he and his brother, Jerry, decided to open their own HVAC company.  Harrington Bros. Heating and Cooling was started in 1993.  It has been a family run business ever since.  All of these careers proved what a hard worker Bob was.

Bob became a member of Spring Hill Masonic Lodge #56 in 1985 and was current member of the De Soto Masonic Lodge #40.  This was followed by becoming a member of the Scottish Rite and Abdallah Shrine Temple as a member of the Roadster Unit.  Bob made many lasting friendships through his time in the Shrine.  He spent many years attending meetings, parties, parades and CSSA.  All of which was shared with his wife and son, David.

Bob had a love for fast cars.  He shared that love with his son David and cousin Danny Jennings.  They started drag racing when David was 16 years old.  They built racecars together and spent countless hours in the shop working on them.  The years spent at the racetrack were some of the best times of his life.  The stories that came from the racetrack are legendary.  Bob always had the philosophy of working hard but playing harder.   This love of fast cars also led to him being a NASCAR fan.  He and his family spent many weekends at Kansas Speedway at their spot on the hill watching the races.  Bob also enjoyed doing the Hot Rod Power Tour.  He even convinced his daughter to make the trip one time.  They made so many great memories on that trip.

As the years went on, his daughter Lisa and her husband Danny gave him the next loves of his life, 3 granddaughters.  Makenna, Aubrey and Kaylin were everything to him.  He loved spoiling them.  The girls quickly figured out that if they wanted anything all they had to do was ask Poppy Bob.  I think his favorite thing to do was giving them “walking around money.”   The girls loved spending the night at grandma and poppy’s house or hanging out in the race shop with him.  Kaylin loved being out there with him. She even started having her birthday parties in the shop with all his buddies.  Poppy Bob finally got his wish for the next generation of racers when Kaylin decided she wanted to race too.  He bought her a Jr. Dragster which she loved.  Sadly, he will never get to see her race.  When David met Roxy, Bob also gained a grandson, Ryese.  They loved to joke around together and make each other laugh.   Bob loved spending every Sunday with his family at Sunday dinner.  More times than not it was spent at a Mexican restaurant enjoying a margarita or two.  He cherished every moment he could spend with his kids and grandkids.

For the many that have come to know Bob over the years, know that he was one of a kind. He would give you the shirt off his back and was as loyal as they come.  He knew so many people but knew very few names.  He loved a good party and showing off his dance moves.  He loved Coors Light and sharing a beer or two with his friends in the shop.  But most of all he loved his wife Debbie.

Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Debbie,  son, David Harrington (Roxy) of De Soto, KS, daughter, Lisa Julian (Danny) of De Soto, KS, 4 grandchildren, Makenna, Aubrey, Kaylin and Ryese, mother, Wilma Harrington of Shawnee, KS, brother, Jerry Harrington (Julie) of Shawnee, KS, mother-in-law Claudine Shettleworth of Shawnee, KS,  sister-in-law Brenda Schurr of Edwardsville, KS, 2 nieces and 2 nephews.

Bob is preceded in death by his father, Roman and infant brother, Richard, grandparents, John and Lou Harrington and Arthur and Letha Myers.

At this time there will be a small private funeral for the family.  There will be a celebration of life at a later date.  The family would love for you to share pictures and stories, they know there are many!

The family suggests contributions to the Shriners Hospitals for Children c/o Abdallah Shriners, 5300 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas 66202