Fairfax Station, Virginia – Robert Langston Harney died August 16, 2010 at INOVA Alexandria Hospital, Alexandria, Va. Born November 4, 1940, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Frank Kermit & Octavia Langston Harney, and son-in-law of the late David & Pearl Rollins, Capron, Va.

Robert, affectionately called, Bob, by family and friends, is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years Ruby Rollins Harney; two sons Tyrone Rollins Harney & Robert Langston Harney, II; two grandsons Jacob Matthew Harney & Noah Clark Harney and their Mother, Samantha Cloward; & a new adorable doggie “Xena”; two brothers Frank Kermit Harney Jr & Richard C. Harney; two aunts (Ledora Everett & Lillian Haywood); one uncle (Arthur Langston); six brothers-in-law (Thomas Rollins; William Rollins; James Rollins; Jeremiah Rollins; Roosevelt Rollins; & Henry Joyner); eight sisters-in-law (Jacqueline Harney; Bessie Rollins Parker; Ovella Rollins Joyner; Mary Rollins Stephens; Vivian Rollins; Nannie Rollins; Marion Rollins; & Elizabeth Rollins); 53 nieces and nephews; a host of grand/great grand nieces & nephews and cousins; and six devoted caregivers.

Bob touched everyone he met in a very special way. He was an incredible loving and giving man who had a big heart, gentle soul and great sense of humor. Truly he was an inspiration to many and his memory will live on in our hearts.

Bob received his early education in the Elizabeth City Public Schools. He attended P. W. Moore High School in Elizabeth City, and graduated class valedictorian. In 1964, he received a Bachelors of Arts degree from Hampton University, Hampton, Va.

During the Vietnam era, Bob served in the US Army. Later after working for the Institute of Scrap Iron & Steel and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission he joined the workforce of the Department of Interior National Park Service. He has the distinction of being the first African American Superintendent of Prince William Forest Park, a National Park located in Triangle Virginia, near Quantico Marine Base, Quantico, Va. A lover of nature, Bob loved his work and the people in the community of Prince William Forest Park. Also, he was a devoted Mason and Past Master of Triangle Lodge No. 293, Triangle, Va.

Bob committed his life to God at an early age at Mt. Lebanon AME Zion Church, Elizabeth City, N.C., and later baptized at Little Union Baptist Church in Dumfries, Va. In 1983, he joined Greater Little Zion Baptist Church, Fairfax, Va. where he served as a Trustee and sung in the Male Chorus until his health failed.

Through his long illness, Bob courageously faced adversity, never complaining, but always focusing on others with his positive attitude and his unrelenting faith that God would take him through whatever trials came his way.