Robert Harman, accounting executive

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Robert “Bob” Harman, 71, formerly of Chestnut Hill, an executive with several major accounting firms, died April 26 at The Moorings in Rehobeth Beach, Del.

When he retired in 2011, Mr. Hartman was a partner at Deloitte. Earlier he had worked at Arthur Anderson and Peat Marwick Mitchell, where he was made a partner at a young age.

Born in Shanghai, China, to a Russian-Chinese mother and an American serviceman father during World War II, he returned with his family to the United States after the war and to a childhood marked by frequent relocations as his father was reassigned to military bases.

The family finally settled in Virginia, where Mr. Harman attended W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax and the University of Virginia. He interrupted his studies at UVA to enlist in the Army during the Vietnam War, serving as a 2nd lieutenant and combat infantry commander in the DMZ in Korea.

After his service, he returned to the University of Virginia and completed his undergraduate studies, receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the McIntire School of Business, where he served for a time on the school’s board of directors. Later, while working as a partner at McKinsey & Co. in New York, he completed an M.B.A. at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Harman was an active member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, and, earlier, the Farmington Country Club in Virginia.

Following his retirement, he moved from his longtime home in Chestnut Hill to Rehobeth Beach,  where he and his family had been coming for years. He enjoyed boating and the beach, along with nice cars, fine wine, Jack Russell Terriers, and close friends.

He is survived by sons Johathan Harman, Taylor Harman and Ryder Harman; daughters Jennifer Lindley and Meredith Regan; four brothers; and four granddaughters.

As a former Army officer, Mr. Harman will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, where both of his parents are interred. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. – WF

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