Robert A. Harper

Robert A. Harper, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, preeminent lawyer passed away on April 23, 2013.

He was a courageous fighter in the courtroom, as well as in life. Robert was born on August 15, 1946 in Milton, Florida. He was birthed by his Uncle Rhett Enzor, a country doctor who delivered hundreds of babies in Okaloosa, Florida. Robert, a soft spoken southern gentleman, will be forever remembered for his kindness, wit, and generosity. A member of a pioneer family, he was a direct descendant of Jesse Carter Allen, the first sheriff of the Florida Territory, Santa Rosa County.

A Captain in the U.S. Army, he was an expert marksman which was the result of a childhood growing up amongst the woodlands of Northwest Florida. A brilliant lawyer, he was respected by judges, his peers and clients alike. While attending the University of Florida, he was recognized in Who's Who in Florida Blue Key, President of Alpha Tau Omega, founder of a law clerk program, and participated with Legal Aid and Defender Clinic, and recognized in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. A Board Certified Appellate/Criminal Lawyer, his accomplishments in the legal field have been recognized by Who's Who in America (1997-present), " Florida's Top Lawyers", Florida's Legal Elite, and Florida Trend Magazine's "Super Lawyers." His public service included The Innocence Project (Board of Directors), Judicial Nominating Commission, and the Guardian Ad Litem program. He served as a founding Officer of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

He always said his children were his greatest blessing. Love and laughter prevailed in the Harper home. Robert was a dedicated Rosarian and served as the past President of the Tallahassee Rose Society. He could catch a bird by the wing, knowing the names and birdsongs of native birds and could identify almost any native species of tree or flower. He would sew a pair of ballet shoes as well as a baseball uniform. He built scenery for school plays, coached Little League and supported the Arts. He also enjoyed hand-raising koi. He was a history buff and researched deeply the lives of the founding fathers of this country with whom he felt a kinship.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 35 years, Jill; and his three children, Robert Augustus Harper III (Adria), Myriah (John) and Alexandra (Christopher); and his grandchildren, Greyson Lee, Robert Ethan, Camden Michael and Juliet Rose, who melted him when they called him "Grandbobby." He is survived by his sister Nan Harper and numerous relatives.

We would like to thank all of our friends who selflessly shared in our lives and our children's lives.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert A. Harper, Sr. and Ida Frances Allen ; and his sister, Betsy Harper.

Services will be held10:00 AM, Friday, April 26, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church, 110 N. Adams Street, Tallahassee, interment will follow at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Innocence Project of Florida (1100 Park Avenue East Tallahassee, Florida 32301) in Robert's name, which will support his belief that the judicial system must be challenged, or to the Tallahassee Rose Society (7020 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32311).