Robert “Bob” Alan Harwood, D.V.M. went to our heavenly Father’s Kingdom on Oct. 24, 2012, from the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

He was born March 16, 1947 in Iola, to Elmer and Marjorie Casper Harwood.

Bob attended Humboldt schools graduating as valedictorian in 1965. He then went to Kansas State University where he was a member of Delta Chi fraternity and graduated in 1971 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. During summers in college he worked at H.K. Porter, the Chanute Refinery, and a marina on Grand Lake, Okla. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a captain in the United States Air Force, doing officer training at Shepherd AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas, and then was stationed at Vance AFB in Enid, Okla. Prior to going and following his service he was employed at the Animal Medical Center. In 1982 he opened his own veterinary practice, Harwood Animal Hospital. Some of Dr. Harwood’s greatest adventures were the 10 years he volunteered as a trail veterinarian on the Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Alaska, the Kuskokwim 300 in Alaska, and the Grand Portage Passage in Minnesota and Canada. He enjoyed drag racing, flying, motorcycling, and boating on Grand Lake, Okla. He was always ready for new adventures which included both water and snow skiing, scuba diving, parasailing in the Alps, traveling in all 50 states, and many foreign countries, plus doing woodworking, fishing, playing bridge, and attending KSU football games, especially the bowl games.

He was a member of the Chanute First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club (serving as treasurer for many years), AVMA, KVMA, AOPA, the Home Savings Bank Board, Chairman of the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, and president of the Hospital Foundation Board. He volunteered his time to the high school site council, Boy Scouts, 4-H, and being a Sunday school teacher, plus serving on numerous church committees. He was honored as a Friend of 4-H, KS. Kiwanis Family of Builders runner up in both 1993 and 1994, and the Chanute Partner in Progress Award for 2010.

On June 5, 1971, he married Susan Schroeder in Independence. She survives, as well as a son, Dr. Mark Harwood of Broken Arrow, Okla., a daughter, Ellen Gabel and son-in-law, Maj. Greg Gabel; grandson, Trent Gabel, Wiesbaden, Germany, brothers Dan Harwood and wife, Darlene, Owasso, Okla., Joe Harwood, Ketchum, Okla., his parents-in-law, Philip and Elvi Schroeder’ brothers-in-law, Robert Schroeder and wife, Diana, and Thomas Schroeder and wife, Deborah, all of Independence; two nieces, seven nephews, three aunts, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Penwell Gabel Gibson Chapel and funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with interment immediately following at the Memorial Park, Chanute. Memorials may be made to the NMRMC Foundation or First United Methodist Church Bridges to the Future campaign.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com