Harold Robert Byrd, 86, of Lebanon, Indiana, passed away Monday, September 4, 2023, at Witham Memorial Hospital.
Born in New Albany, Indiana, on September 16, 1936, he was a son of the late Estel Herman and Marguerite (Bennett) Byrd. After living in English and Corydon for a time, the family moved to Jasper, Indiana in 1940. Bob graduated from Jasper High School in 1954. He enlisted in the United States Navy, receiving basic training at the USN training center in Bainbridge, Maryland and was then assigned to The United States Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabees) in Port Hueneme, California to attend drafting school. He completed active duty at Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia, and was honorably discharged in 1957.
He married Melva Dean Klee on July 26, 1958, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Bob and Melva were married 64 years, until her death on January 14, 2022.
Bob attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University, Indianapolis while employed at Commercial Filters (Parker Hannifin) in Lebanon. He had held several positions during his career at Parker, travelling the country and overseas, finally retiring in September 1998 after many years as Sales Manager.
Bob was a member of American Legion Post 113, Jaycees, and Ulen Country Club, serving on those boards as well. He was an avid golfer and bowler and was voted into the Lebanon Bowlers Hall of Fame. Bob and Melva loved travelling and visiting historical places. He later enjoyed crossword puzzles, with a dictionary and atlas always by his side.
Survivors include his daughter, Michelle Lynn Byrd Wood and husband, Chris of Fort Wayne; daughter-in-law, Sara Steinbacher; brother, Paul Byrd and wife, Jean of San Diego, California; and sisters-in-law, Sally Byrd of Lebanon and Mary Jane Klee of Holland, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved son, Gregory Alan Byrd; sister, Ruth Higgins; and brothers, Larry Lynn and Bill.
Funeral Services with Military Rites are planned for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lebanon.
Memorials may be directed in Bob’s memory to The ALS Association Indiana Chapter, P.O. Box 56023, Indianapolis, IN 46256, or to https://donate.in.als.org.
Online condolences: www.MyersMortuary.com