Robert E. Harden Jr., 59, of Perrysburg, died Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio,
Perrysburg after a brief illness.
He was born in Camden, NJ on November 27, 1951 to Robert E. and Ruth (Keller) Harden, Sr. He married
Tamara J. Shank in Perrysburg on May 3, 1992.
Bob grew up in Haddonfield, NJ, and while in high school and college worked with his father at Robert J.
Hoffer Co. in Philadelphia, PA.
He graduated from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management in
1976 and from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, NJ, with a Master of Business Administration
(MBA) in 1982.
He was Corporate Secretary for the New Jersey Bankers Association from 1977-1987, became the Assistant
Executive Director of the National Funeral Directors Association in June of 1987, and then the Executive
Director from June, 1988 to April, 2001, where he received his Certified Association Executive
distinction. In January, 2002 through May, 2005 he was the Chief Operating Officer at the Toledo
Zoological Society, and served as consultant to the Zoo from June, 2005 through May, 2006 while he was
establishing his company, Harden Development, LLC, as well as working in commercial and industrial real
estate sales. On March 23, 2009, he accepted the position of Executive Director with the Historic
Woodlawn Cemetery.
He had also served on the Perrysburg Board of Zoning Appeals. Bob was a member of several realtor
associations.
Surviving are his wife, Tamara S. Harden; mother, Ruth K. Harden; son, James W. Harden; daughter, Sarah
E. Harden; granddaughter, Lia E. Fletcher; brother, William K. (Jeannie) Harden; in-laws, Clara and
Robert Shank, Sr.; sister-in-law, Karen S. Sliter and her husband David; brother-in-law, Robert L.
Shank, Jr. and his wife Tonya; nieces, Morgan Shank, Katrina, Jessica, Jacqueline and Stephanie Sliter;
nephew, Robert L. Shank, III; and their dog, Molly.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Harden, Sr.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home,
222 E.S. Boundary, Perrysburg (419-874-3133). Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday,
January 5, 2011 at Zoar Lutheran Church, E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg with Pastor Timothy P. Philabaum
officiating. Burial will be in Fort Meigs Union Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Northwest Ohio in support of the Animal Care Fund or the
Toledo Area Humane Society, 1920 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, Ohio 43537, where they adopted Molly.
Tammy and the entire family want to express their sincere appreciation to the board and staff at Historic
Woodlawn Cemetery for their support and staff of Hospice for the kind and loving care they gave to Bob.
Condolences may be made directly to the family by visiting www.witzlershank.com
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