Robert Henry Harmel was born in Pierce County, North Dakota to Henry and Selma (Sand) Harmel on February 7^th, 1931.  He died peacefully at the age of 87 years on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

He grew up on the family farm southeast of Rugby, where he learned to milk cows, train horses, pitch hay, and hate sheep. He attended school at Lincoln number 2, until 8^th grade. In 1949 he left for basic training in Camp Rucker Alabama where he became a Drill Sargent training many recruits for the Korean War. He met Audrey Bock and married her on November 22^nd, 1956 at the Knox Catholic Church. They resided south of Rolette where he raised cattle and four children, first being Theresa, Stephen, Bobbi Jo, Dawn, and no sheep. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 194 where he had served as commander in chief and Sargent at arms.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey (Bock) Harmel of Rolette; daughters, Theresa Harmel of Rolette, Bobbi Jo Harmel (Dave Beck- Life partner) of Knox, and Dawn (Blaine) Thingvold of Rolette; son, Stephen Harmel of Rolette; Grandchildren, Jason (Connie Duchscherer) Harmel of Rugby, Matt (Lisa Kinsey) Harmel of Rugby, Kodi Harmel of Rolette, Brandon Duckwitz of Mandan, Tyler Harmel of Rugby, Michael Rogstad of Bismarck; three sisters, Marlys (Delmer) Ostrem, and Beverly (Orvin) Blekeberg all of Rugby, and Sandra (Glenn) Bethke of Grand Forks; five brothers, Gerald Harmel, Douglas (Joni) Harmel, and Stranford (Susan) Harmel all of Rugby, Bradley (Suzanne) Harmel of Franktown Colorado, and Donovan Harmel of Minneapolis Minnesota; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Harmel, mother, Selma (Sand) Harmel, his infant sister Alice Mae Harmel, Sister Bernice Greig, and Brother Norman (LaVerne) Harmel. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Rolette with spring burial in the North Ox Creek Cemetery, rural Rolette. Pastor Rob Roise, officiating with Lonnie Anderson assisting.

Military Honors accorded by the Rolette American Legion Post #194 and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honor Detail

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue on Saturday for one hour prior to the time of services at the church in Rolette.