Robert E. Harper Sr.

Robert Eugene Harper Sr. was born in Atlanta, GA to the parents of Houston Eugene Harper and Mamie Harper. He was the oldest of six children which include siblings Gary, Michael, Benny, Cecilia and Sydell. Robert Harper attended Carver High School in Atlanta, GA. After graduation, he wrote a letter to the Brooklyn Dodgers in New York in an effort to play MLB. Surprisingly they answered the letter and gave him an opportunity to practice with the team. He proved that he was worthy of being a team member but unfortunately the world was not ready for a Negro playing at this level. This was very devastating for him and he often felt as though he should have been the first “Jackie Robinson”. Being a man of many talents, he then went on to pursue his love of music by playing in Jazz Bands and performing in several nightclubs. He was nicknamed “Bongo Bob” by his band members. Robert Sr. loved playing the bongos and drums. Along the way he would meet Helen Harper where they would have six children, Robert Jr., Malisa, Cynthia, Connie, Mario and Fernando. In 1978, Robert married Sylvia Harper. After laying down his drumsticks, he retired from Big Star Warehouse as a Supervisor. Robert is survived by his wife Sylvia, six children, his brother Michael, sister Cecilia along with a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.