Robert R Haggard

Robert R. Haggard (Bob), age 86, went peacefully in his sleep to be with Jesus on Thursday evening, March 23rd, at his home in Clinton, Indiana.

Bob was born in Arlington, Kentucky on May 23, 1936, to Thomas Ray Haggard and Anna Marie Hopkins, who preceded him in death. He grew up on a farm in Kentucky and was proud to call himself a "good old country boy."  Bob eventually began attending college at Murray State, married Carolyn Piper of Kentucky, became a father to the first of two sons, and made the decision to join the Army.  After some time, he became a father to his youngest son, returned to college, and completed his degree in Business Administration.  It was at this point in time that Bob decided to go back to the Army, and this time, he volunteered to go to Vietnam.  He held a variety of roles such as Gunnery Sergeant and Military Police Officer, during his lengthy military career.

Anyone who spent any time with Bob knew that one of his favorite past times was to tell stories about all of the experiences he had during his two tours in Vietnam.  He ultimately reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was honored to have served his country for so many years.

After his time in the war, Bob returned to Kentucky, bought a farm, served in a couple of different civilian roles, and continued to serve as an Army reservist.  He eventually found himself transferred to Newport, Indiana where he worked in security at the Army Ammunition Plant.  Around this time, Bob went through a divorce, and sometime later, was introduced to Shirley Tasso of Clinton.  They later married, and were together for 29 happy years, until her death in 2021. 

Bob was truly "one of a kind", and wherever he went, people always remembered him.  He never met a stranger, and he loved giving people a hard time, because that was just his way of letting them know that he cared.   As his late wife, Shirley, would say, "He may act rough and tough, but under that gruff exterior, is a heart of gold."  Bob was a son, husband, father, stepfather, papa, granddad, great grandad, and friend, and he will be deeply missed by those whose lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn, his youngest son, Joe Craig Haggard, and his second wife, Shirley.  He is survived by his son, Kenneth R. Haggard (wife LeiAndra) of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; stepdaughter, Tia Tasso-Litz (husband Tim) of Brownsburg, Indiana; grandchildren Charles Robert Haggard (wife Jessica) and Jolie Raye Lamb (husband Zachariah) of Hopkinsville; grandchildren, Tori Litz, Josh Litz, and Haley Litz of Brownsburg; and two great-granddaughters, Kensley and Amelia Lamb of Hopkinsville.

Visitation will be this Thursday, March 30th, from noon - 1:00pm at Frist Funeral Home in Clinton.  The funeral service will be that same day at 1:00pm, also at Frist.  Graveside service will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Terre Haute.  Online condolences may be made at www.fristfuneralhome.com. 

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