Bobby R Harris Biography and the Remarkable Legacy of a Vietnam War Pilot and Family Patriarch

Bobby R Harris (June 14, 1937 to December 25, 2020) was a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel, Army aviator, combat pilot, and Vietnam War veteran whose life reflected courage, education, patriotism, and perseverance. Although he was not a household name in the entertainment industry, his influence reached millions through his daughter, Harris Faulkner, the respected Fox News anchor and bestselling author. Behind her public success stood a father whose life lessons became a compass for her career and personal values.

Born in Malakoff, Texas, a small town in East Texas, Harris grew up in circumstances that demanded determination. His childhood included a medical condition affecting his vocal cords, a challenge that sometimes left him unable to speak normally. Yet this early difficulty did not define the boundaries of his future. Instead, he developed a reputation for overcoming obstacles and pursuing goals that others might have considered unrealistic.

Harris was also the first person in generations of his family to attend college. Financial limitations made higher education difficult, and the opportunities available to Black Americans during his youth were often restricted by racial discrimination. Nevertheless, he continued forward, treating education as a bridge between the circumstances of his childhood and the life he wanted to build.

His journey eventually led him into military aviation, advanced engineering studies, and a career that included combat service in Vietnam. His story was not simply about military rank or professional achievement. It was about a young man who refused to let personal hardship or social barriers determine how far he could travel.

Bobby R Harris Basic Information

Early Life and Educational Achievements

As a child in Malakoff, Harris saw how race, class, and income affected chances. His goal went beyond dreaming. Despite low resources and no family history of higher education, he required the discipline to seek it.

College enrollment changed his life. He created a door for future generations by being the first in his family to attend college. His success showed a lesson he would later tell his daughters: circumstances can affect a person’s start, but not their destiny.

Harris received a graduate degree in aeronautical engineering from Georgia Tech. The technological field required modern aviation systems, engineering, and mechanical processes. Such a performance was significant for a mid-20th-century Black American studying military aviation.

His education prepared him to understand aircraft beyond the cockpit. It also prepared him for flying, technical, and military leadership roles. His career combined intellectual preparation and practical courage like two wings supporting an aircraft.

Military Career and Service in the Vietnam War

Harris joined the United States Army in the late 1950s and pursued his ambition of becoming a military aviator. At a time when African American officers continued to encounter institutional barriers, his advancement represented a personal victory as well as a professional accomplishment.

He became a fixed wing combat pilot and served two tours of duty in Vietnam, according to the more detailed family accounts of his service. His military experience exposed him to the dangers of combat aviation, where split second decisions could determine whether a mission succeeded or an aircraft and its crew survived.

One particularly memorable incident involved flying at low altitude over the Saigon River while attempting to avoid enemy fire. His aircraft sustained extensive damage, described in later recollections as being riddled with holes. Support from another military unit helped him escape the immediate danger. Harris later remembered the assistance in spiritual terms, describing the supporting soldier as an angel.

Such an experience reveals something about the nature of his service. Military courage did not mean believing oneself invulnerable. It meant continuing to perform demanding duties while recognizing the risks and depending on the skill and cooperation of others.

During his second Vietnam tour, Harris commanded an aviation support and logistics company responsible for helping maintain aircraft in the field. The work involved coordinating personnel and repair operations across multiple locations, including areas in the Central Highlands near Pleiku. He traveled frequently to inspect units and oversee their activities. He was also promoted to major during this period.

His responsibilities therefore extended beyond flying combat missions. He helped ensure that aircraft could return to service, supporting the wider operational effort. In a military environment where maintenance and logistics could directly affect the lives of pilots and ground personnel, this was an essential leadership role.

Harris’s Vietnam experiences later became an important part of his daughter’s understanding of her father. They also provided the foundation for a television project that allowed her to explore the history he had carried with him for decades.

Pentagon Assignments and Life as a Military Officer

Harris continued his military career after Vietnam, serving at several installations in the United States and overseas. His assignments included Stuttgart in West Germany, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Bragg, Fort Monmouth, and Fort McPherson in Georgia.

These postings required the family to adapt repeatedly to unfamiliar places, new communities, and changing routines. Military life often meant that personal plans had to accommodate professional orders. For the Harris family, moving was not an occasional disruption but part of the rhythm of their lives.

Harris eventually worked at the Pentagon under General Colin Powell, who later became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and United States secretary of state. This assignment placed Harris within the environment of senior military leadership and national defense administration.

He ultimately retired as a lieutenant colonel. Although a comprehensive public record of his decorations and post-retirement employment is not readily available, his career reflected years of military service, technical specialization, operational responsibility, and leadership.

His achievements were particularly meaningful in the context of his generation. Harris had entered a profession in which Black officers could face prejudice both within the military and in the wider society. He answered those obstacles through competence, preparation, and a commitment to service.

Bobby R Harris and His Wife Shirley Harris

Behind Harris’s military career was his marriage to Shirley Harris, a woman of Haitian descent who worked as a schoolteacher and social worker. Their relationship formed the foundation of a family shaped by military discipline, education, faith, and mutual responsibility.

Shirley carried responsibilities that often accompanied military family life. Frequent relocations, demanding schedules, and the uncertainty associated with combat assignments could place substantial pressure on a household. Her work in education and social services also reflected a commitment to helping other people, a quality that complemented her husband’s public service.

Harris described his wife as the greatest civilian warrior he had ever known. The expression was more than a compliment. It recognized the kind of strength that does not depend on a uniform, military rank, or public recognition.

Shirley died in November 2016, approximately four years before her husband. At her funeral, Harris reportedly saluted her casket, a powerful gesture that connected his military identity with his private devotion to his wife.

Their marriage lasted approximately 57 years. It was a long partnership built through changing assignments, family milestones, and the demands of a military career. While public accounts reveal relatively little about their private routines, Harris’s words about Shirley offer a glimpse of the admiration and affection he continued to feel for her.

Harris Faulkner and Her Father’s Lasting Influence

Bobby R Harris’s best-known child is Harris Faulkner, born on October 13, 1965, at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. She became a prominent television journalist, Fox News anchor, host of The Faulkner Focus, and co-host of Outnumbered. She has also earned multiple Emmy Awards and written bestselling books.Her father’s influence can be seen in the themes she repeatedly emphasizes: discipline, self-respect, faith, patriotism, resilience, and the importance of completing a mission. These values were not abstract slogans in her childhood. They came from a father whose experiences had tested them under difficult circumstances.

Growing up as a military child meant that Faulkner learned to adapt to changing environments. Her father’s assignments exposed the family to different communities and expectations, while his approach to responsibility encouraged her to remain focused on her goals.

She has described him as her North Star, a hero, and her first miracle. These expressions convey the emotional importance of their relationship. For her, his military service was inseparable from his role as a parent who taught through example.

Harris’s name also became part of her daughter’s identity. Her first name came from her father’s familiar name, creating a direct link between generations. That connection continued through her public career, where she has frequently spoken about how his guidance shaped her professional and personal outlook.

In her book 9 Rules of Engagement: A Military Brat’s Guide to Life and Success, Faulkner drew on lessons associated with her upbringing. The book connects military principles with everyday challenges, presenting focus, respect, and perseverance as practical tools for navigating life.

Her career has therefore become one of the most visible expressions of her father’s legacy. Although Harris built his reputation in military service rather than television, the principles he passed on reached a much larger public through her work.

Vietnam Footsteps of My Father and the Return to His History

Faulkner hosted Vietnam: Footsteps of My Father on Fox Nation in May 2024. She visited areas related to her father’s military service for the project.

The series featured Vietnam War locations such the Saigon River, Cu Chi tunnels, Da Nang, and Vung Tau. She investigated her father’s flying and leading situations through historical research, veteran interviews, and family memories.

Hearing his recorded memories was a highlight of the experience. Dangerous missions, near misses, and the emotional toll of service during a contentious time in American history were documented in these tales.

Family members participated in the documentary. Her relatives linked Harris’s wartime experiences to his brother and family leader.

The project went beyond battlefields. A daughter sought to understand her father’s ideals’ origins. Places of peril and duty became places of meditation, connecting his own background to the battle.

The series showed Vietnam through a military family’s memories. It allowed Faulkner to honor her father, whose experiences taught her courage, sacrifice, and service.

Annissa Buchanan and the Younger Generation of the Harris Family

Annissa Buchanan, née Harris, is Bobby and Shirley Harris’s younger daughter. Unlike her older sister, she has maintained a relatively private life, and detailed information about her education, occupation, and personal activities is limited in public accounts.

She is married to Michael R. Buchanan, and their daughter is named Audrey Buchanan. Annissa also contributed to the family obituary following her father’s death, helping preserve the family’s memories of his character and influence.

Her more private public presence illustrates a distinction within the family. Faulkner’s profession places her in front of television audiences, while Annissa’s life remains largely outside the public spotlight. Both, however, belong to the same family history shaped by their parents’ partnership and Harris’s military career.

Bobby’s influence on his younger daughter was expressed through family memories, personal stories, and the example of a father who placed considerable importance on love, responsibility, and perseverance. Although the public knows less about Annissa’s individual experiences, her inclusion in family tributes reflects her place in the legacy he left behind.

Bobby R Harris’s Brothers and Family Bonds

Harris was also remembered as the oldest of three brothers. His younger brothers were Ronnie Lane and Luther T. Lane Jr., who was also referred to in family contexts as Timothy or Uncle Tim.

Their relationship began in childhood, long before military uniforms and professional achievements became part of Harris’s identity. Family recollections describe the brothers as closely connected, sharing memories of their neighborhood, their upbringing, and the example set by the eldest sibling.

For his younger brothers, Harris represented a person who had moved beyond the limitations of their early circumstances. His educational achievements and military career demonstrated what persistence could accomplish. When he returned home from military service, his experiences gave the family a wider view of the world beyond their Texas roots.

His brothers later helped preserve his memory through family conversations and their participation in Vietnam: Footsteps of My Father. Their recollections added a personal dimension to the documentary, showing that the man remembered as a combat pilot was also a brother whose life had shaped those closest to him.

Their accounts emphasized compassion, kindness, inspiration, and forward movement. These qualities helped explain why Harris’s legacy was not confined to his rank or wartime record. Within his family, his importance rested equally on the way he encouraged others to believe in their own potential.

Bobby R Harris as a Grandfather

Harris’s family legacy continued through his grandchildren, including Bella Berlin, Danika Berlin, and Audrey Buchanan.

Bella and Danika are the daughters of Harris Faulkner and her husband, Tony Berlin. The sisters have grown up with connections to African American, White, and Jewish family heritage, alongside the Christian values emphasized in their household.

Bella Berlin, whose full name is sometimes given as Bella Grace Berlin, has been associated with interests including pageantry, archery, music, comedy, golf, and outdoor activities. Her participation in youth pageantry has included the National American Miss Teen NJ Spokesmodel category.

Danika Berlin, born in May 2009, has participated in gymnastics and has been associated with competitive achievements at USAIGC or IAGC World Championships. She also enjoys activities such as golf and archery.

Their lives differ from their grandfather’s in obvious ways. They have grown up in a different generation, with different opportunities and a family member whose profession places the family before a national audience. Yet the values Harris emphasized remain relevant: confidence, discipline, perseverance, and respect for others.

Audrey Buchanan, the daughter of Annissa and Michael Buchanan, represents another branch of the family. Although less is publicly known about her life, she belongs to the same growing family that Harris helped establish.

As a grandfather, Harris occupied a role that extended beyond his military achievements. He became part of a family history that could be passed down through stories, photographs, remembered conversations, and the example of a life built through determination.

Bobby R Harris’s Patriotism and Personal Philosophy

Harris’s patriotism was grounded in a realistic understanding of American history. He served during a period when the country remained deeply divided over civil rights, racial equality, and the Vietnam War. As a Black military officer, he was aware of the contradictions between the nation’s democratic ideals and the discrimination experienced by many of its citizens.

Nevertheless, he believed that the United States was worth serving because of the possibilities contained in its Constitution and its capacity for improvement. He expressed the view that he would rather serve a country striving to become better than abandon the struggle for progress.

This philosophy was not an assertion that America was perfect. It was a belief that service could help move the country closer to its stated principles.

He also encouraged his younger brothers to recognize the opportunities available in the United States. His message combined patriotism with personal responsibility: the country offered possibilities, but individuals still needed the courage and discipline to pursue them.

His approach to life placed strong emphasis on respect, mission focus, and finishing what one started. The idea that a person should continue working toward a goal even when the circumstances became difficult was central to the lessons his daughters remembered.

The phrase that the impossible is a state of mind captures the spirit of his story. It does not suggest that every obstacle can be overcome easily. Rather, it reflects his belief that people should not surrender their ambitions simply because the path ahead appears difficult.

Net Worth, Retirement, and Financial Background

There is no reliable public estimate of Bobby R Harris’s net worth. His financial records were private, and public biographical accounts focus primarily on his military career, family, and personal values rather than his assets or investments.

As a career Army officer who retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Harris would generally have been eligible for military retirement benefits, subject to the rules applicable to his service. His advanced engineering education and senior responsibilities demonstrate professional achievement, but they do not establish a specific personal fortune.

It would therefore be misleading to assign him a precise net worth without verifiable financial information. His family did not make a detailed public accounting of his property, savings, investments, or other assets.

In discussions of his legacy, financial wealth is less prominent than the opportunities he created for his children and the values he passed to later generations. His educational achievements, military service, and family relationships provide a clearer picture of his life’s significance than an unsupported monetary estimate could offer.

Final Years, Death, and Memorial Tributes

Harris spent his retirement in Dallas with his family. Wife Shirley died in November 2016, before him.

Harris, 83, died December 25, 2020. Family memories say he died quietly in his sleep while ready for a brunch at his daughter’s place.

Christmas Day, a holiday of family and memories, was crucial. He died after the Great Depression, civil rights, the Vietnam War, and decades of American social turmoil.

Visitation preceded his January 2, 2021 interment at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Viewers, colleagues, veterans, and those who loved him mourned his death when his daughter announced it.

His military service, family commitment, and Faulkner influence were lauded. Memorial tributes mentioned serving in Vietnam or commended Army aviators of his generation.

In 2025, Arizona neighbors put a tree and memorial near Vietnam Veterans Day. Such deeds indicate how a veteran’s legacy can go on beyond the family, even if his military and personal life are unknown.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bobby R Harris

Who was Bobby R Harris?

Bobby R Harris was a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel, combat pilot, Army aviator, and Vietnam War veteran. He was also the father of Fox News anchor and author Harris Faulkner. His life was marked by educational achievement, military leadership, patriotism, and a strong commitment to family.

When was Bobby R Harris born?

Bobby R Harris was born on June 14, 1937, in Malakoff, Texas. He grew up in modest circumstances and overcame a childhood medical condition affecting his vocal cords before pursuing higher education and a military career.

When did Bobby R Harris die?

He died on December 25, 2020, at the age of 83. Family recollections indicate that he passed peacefully in his sleep in the Dallas area. He was buried at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery on January 2, 2021.

Who was Bobby R Harris’s wife?

His wife was Shirley Harris, a schoolteacher and social worker of Haitian descent. The couple shared approximately 57 years of marriage. Shirley died in November 2016, four years before her husband.

How many children did Bobby R Harris have?

Bobby and Shirley Harris had two daughters, Harris Faulkner and Annissa Buchanan. Harris Faulkner became a prominent television journalist and bestselling author, while Annissa has maintained a more private life.

What was Bobby R Harris’s military rank?

He retired from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel. His career included combat aviation in Vietnam, command responsibilities in aviation support and logistics, and later assignments that included work at the Pentagon under General Colin Powell.

How many tours did Bobby R Harris serve in Vietnam?

The more detailed family accounts describe two tours of duty in Vietnam. He served as a combat pilot during his deployments and later commanded an aviation support and logistics company responsible for helping maintain aircraft in the field.

What was Bobby R Harris’s educational background?

Harris earned a graduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia Tech. His advanced education supported his work as an aviator and military officer and represented a significant personal achievement for a Black man pursuing engineering and military aviation during that era.

What was Bobby R Harris’s net worth?

His net worth has not been reliably disclosed in public records. Although he had a long military career and retired as a lieutenant colonel, there is insufficient verified information to calculate his personal wealth accurately.

How did Bobby R Harris influence Harris Faulkner?

He influenced his daughter through lessons about discipline, respect, faith, patriotism, resilience, and mission focus. Faulkner has described him as her North Star and hero. His experiences also inspired her book 9 Rules of Engagement: A Military Brat’s Guide to Life and Success and the 2024 series Vietnam: Footsteps of My Father.

What is Bobby R Harris remembered for today?

He is remembered for his Vietnam War service, his work as an Army aviator and officer, his educational achievements, and his devotion to his family. His legacy continues through Harris Faulkner’s public work, family memories, memorial tributes, and the stories shared by the generations that followed him.