Robert T. Harrod

Robert T. "Bob� Harrod passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at home. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home, Frankfort. The funeral service will also be at Harrod�s on Friday at 1:00 p.m. with graveside service following at Frankfort Cemetery. Born November 3, 1935, in Frankfort, Kentucky, to Bedford M. and Kathryn Horn Harrod, Bob was a 1953 graduate of Elkhorn High School in Frankfort and graduated in 1959 from the University of Kentucky with a law degree. While in college, he was a proud member of UK�s ROTC Marching 100 and played the saxophone, which he continued to enjoy playing through much of his life. Also in 1959 he married his college sweetheart, Doris Peden, from Glasgow, Kentucky. Bob maintained a private law practice for 40 years, during which he also held numerous others positions, including Frankfort Police Judge (Pro Tem) from 1960-1961 and Assistant Franklin County Attorney from 1961-1966 and 1976-1979. In 1966, he became the youngest elected County Judge Executive in Kentucky, followed by over 20 years of holding other political offices. He spoke very fondly of working with Wendell Ford on campaign strategies during his political career. From 1970-74, he was Franklin County Trial Commissioner and was again elected Franklin County Judge Executive in 1978 for three more terms until 1989. While County Judge Executive, he and Franklin County Fiscal Court implemented three major projects: house-to-house garbage collection, county-wide zoning, and construction of the Franklin County Regional Jail on Coffeetree Road. From 1989-99, he was Administrator of the Kentucky Association of Counties Leasing Trust, which he said was a way he could "just make people happy,� a change from his many years in politics. A long-time member of First Baptist Church, St. Clair Street, Bob was also a lifetime member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Franklin County Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, Kentucky River Task Force, and Kentucky State University Advisory Council. In addition he was a member and past chair of the Bluegrass Area Development District Board of Directors and Franklin County Health Department Board. He served on the Franklin County Habilitation Board, was a member and chair of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee, a member and president of the Kentucky County Judge Executive Association, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Bluegrass West Health Department. For many years he was a member of the Frankfort Jaycees and loved playing Santa Claus in the Christmas parade and other Jaycee events. Although Bob remained busy through most of his life with his career, when he had time off and after he retired, he and Doris enjoyed collecting antiques and pewter. They wintered in Anna Maria Island, Florida, for the last several years where he particularly enjoyed dining at the local Oyster Bar and Duffy�s, as well as visiting the beach and looking out over the endless sea. Bob�s children remember him as a generous loving father who also loved art, music, and traveling. He bought a white Fiat Spider convertible and loved taking all the family for long rides as often as possible. One of Bob�s fondest memories was of his dog Jasper, a black cocker spaniel who he referred to as his "lifelong canine companion.� Jasper preceded him in death in 2011. Besides being survived by his wife of 53 years, Doris, Bob is also survived by two daughters, Katherine Harrod Cain (James) of Maitland, Florida, and Jean Harrod Hixson (Marshall) of Lexington. He is additionally survived by grandson Lance Hixson of Lexington, sister-in-law Maxie Peden Depp of Apopka, Florida, and two nephews, Dane Depp, of Glasgow, Kentucky, and Peden Depp, of Orlando, Florida and a cousin, Carol Ann Johnson, of Sellersburg, Indiana Funeral and graveside services will be conducted by Dr. Robert F. Browning, First Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Charles L. Willis, Morris Burton, Donald Giles, Howard Hunt, Kenneth Wood, William Curlin, Leonard Nave, Jack Hoover and David Shelton. Bob will be remembered by many good friends and neighbors for his quick wit, his love for good food, and his personal joy in entertaining those around him. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601; Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Ste. 304, Chicago, IL 60611-3201; or the American Cancer Society.

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Robert T. Harrod

November 3, 1935 - April 16, 2013