Robert Harper

Beaver Creek lost a native son with the death of Robert J. Harper on September 26, 2009. His death closed a chapter in the Harper history book spanning 112 years.
?Robbie? as he was known, was born at the family home on Beaver Creek, east of Newcastle, September 9, 1919 to Bob and Elsie Crawford Harper. It was here that he lived his life until failing health made a move to Weston Manor Nursing Home necessary.
Robbie attended the old Sweet School in the country for eight years and graduated from Newcastle High School in 1937. He attended college for three semesters in Hastings, Nebraska, but his heart was at the ranch and he returned home.
Robbie recalled the days when all work was done on horseback before technology automated work in the fields. During the depression years his parents tried raising turkeys in an effort to keep the ranch going. The blizzard on 1949 was a memorable time. The Harpers never lost an animal but they were confined to their home for four days and nights. Trips to town were made with a sled and team in the winter and cattle had to be driven to the local stockyards in Newcastle to be loaded onto freight cars and taken to Omaha, Nebraska for sale.
Close neighbors in the country were Floyd and Diana Sweet and one day Robbie met a house guest of the Sweets, a lady named Clara Wells who lived in Topeka, Kansas. Clara would visit the Sweets over the ensuing years and Robbie began his pursuit to win her hand. He told the story that it took twelve years before he could convince her to marry him, but she became his bridge on his birthday September 9, 1967. Clara loved their life together on the ranch and became an accomplished helpmate to Robbie. She preceded him in death on September 11, 2003.
Robbie was active in the community and enjoyed being a part of its many organizations. He was a 65-year member of Newcastle Masonic Lodge No. 13, more than a 50-year member of Newcastle Chapter No. 30, Order of the Eastern Star, and held memberships in Scottish Rite Masonry, Valley of Sheridan along with Kalif Shrine. Robbie was a member of Farm Bureau and a faithful, long-time member of First United Methodist Church.
Clara and Robbie were honored to serve as Sagebrush King and Queen at the Sagebrush Festival of Newcastle in 1993 and Robbie recently served as Grand Marshal of the Weston County Fair Parade.
Robbie was honored on his 90th birthday this past September 9th with a gathering of friends and family at the nursing home hosted by cousins, Minnie and Bob Quick. The celebration was unique in that he was 90 on 09/09/09.
Preceding Robbie in death were his parents, half-brother Glen Crawford, half-sister Ruth Crawford Sparks, and his beloved Clara.
Left to mourn his passing are nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins who remained in contact with Robbie through hone calls and frequent visits. These were the highlights of his days. A host of friends also counted Robbie as a special person in their lives; they, too, are saddened by Robbie?s passing.
Funeral services were held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday October 3rd at 10:00 am with Rev. Dr. Robert Firebaugh officiating. Masonic Funeral Services were conducted by Newcastle Lodge no. 13, A.F.& A.M. Memorials contributions to the Newcastle Masonic Building Fund c/o Don Porter, 1014 S. 13th St., Laramie, WY 82070 or a charity of the donor?s choice will be equally appreciated by the family.
Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery under direction of Worden Funeral Directors of Newcastle.