Page 68 - Cityview_May_June_2014

At 91, living

Knoxville legend

Dr. Robert Harvey

reflects on his life

and his “Red Ball

Express” role in

World War II.

Story by Phil newman

Photography by tyler oxendine

Almost 70 years later, harvey’s war

experience remains fresh in his mind.
Marked by fierce fighting on the battle-

fields and devastating news from his
family back home, those pivotal years

shaped and defined harvey, propelling
him to a distinctive post-war career

that would result in deep influence and
multiple accolades.

MADE FOR MORE

Robert henry harvey’s journey
began on November 16, 1922, in rural

Sumrall, Mississippi, 18 miles north-
west of hattiesburg. The eldest of six

boys and four girls born to John and
Alma harvey, Robert’s hardworking

upbringing included picking cotton
alongside his Baptist-preacher father

and siblings.
he didn’t—ahem—cotton to the
F
r o m p i c k i n g c o t t o n
nagenarian is vibrant and strong. he’s work. “Eventually, I came out of the
as a youngster, to transport-
here at Strike & Spare to do what he fields because I knew I wasn’t brought

ing holocaust survivors during has done since 1973: keep score for his into the world to be a cotton picker,”
World War II, to serving as a decorated friends from the Cerebral Palsy Center says harvey with a wry smile. “I wasn’t

educator at Knoxville College, Dr. during their fortnightly bowling out- very good at it. In fact, I got fired one
Robert harvey has packed his 91-plus ing—part of his longtime commitment time chopping cotton. They could tell

years with monumental moments—and to Kiwanis Northside.
my attitude wasn’t right. My brothers
he isn’t finished yet.
As harvey watches three-holed orbs and my father, they were oK, but the

on a late-winter Saturday, harvey thunder down varnished lanes toward overseer sent me home.”
(known to friends as Bob) arrives at the pins, he harkens back to his days his parents and an aunt who tutored

fountain lanes on Broadway. Right as a member of the Red Ball Express,
Robert noticed his aptitude in math-
away it’s clear that, despite a bother- a WWII transportation outfit that ematics. They told him he was destined

some right knee that requires him to sped supplies, fuel, ammunition—and to be “Dr. harvey” someday. After
use a walker or two canes to get around sometimes troops—to and from the attending prep school at Camden Acad-

(“no cartilage left,” he shrugs), the no-
European front lines.
emy in Alabama, he enrolled at Knox-

66 cityviewmag.com may june 2014