Lt. Col. Robert Dale Harbert, 84, of Springfield died on Nov. 7, in Fairfax. He was the husband of Josephine Harbert for 57 years and father to Carole Carroll (David) of Northport, Ala.; Patricia Brooks (Chip) of Alexandria; and Bobbi Herman (John) of Savannah, Ga. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Amanda Carroll Barnes, Austin Carroll, Justin Brooks, Kristin Brooks Lochhead, Tracey Brooks, Kyle Brooks and Jonathan Herman; and one great-grandson, Joseph Carroll Barnes.
Harbert was born on April 9, 1920, in London Mills, Ill., to Cicero and Bessie Harbert. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served his country for 40 years — 28 years on active duty and 12 in civil service. He was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism for rescuing a child from a fire in Fort Rucker, Ala. Other military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and numerous campaign and service awards for World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.
Harbert served with the 76th Infantry during World War II, participating in campaigns in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He had the distinction of serving in every enlisted and warrant officer rank prior to receiving a direct commission to the Adjutant General’s Corps in 1951. He held command positions in Korea, Japan and Baumholder, Germany, and leadership positions at Fort Rucker, Ala.; Heidelberg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Jan. 14, 2005, at 10:45 a.m., at Fort Meyer Chapel, with interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. To honor Harbert’s life, the family requests donations to the Arthritis National Research Foundation, 200 Oceangate, Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90802, or online at www.curearthritis.org. Written tributes may be left and a slide show of his life may be viewed at www.mem.com.
Arrangements provided by Demain Chapel, Springfield.