Frederick "Bob" Harvey

Frederick R. “Bob” Harvey, 86, passed away in Bismarck on January 18, 2025.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, ND with his son, Father Fred as celebrant. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. 

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. 

Bob was born on January 21, 1938, in Bismarck, the son of Fred A. and Maxine (Kupitz) Harvey. He spent most of his youth years in Bismarck with some time spent in Milwaukee, WI and Seward, Alaska, two towns where his father worked. Bob was a self-taught auto mechanic and auto body repairman. He attended schools in Bismarck, St. Mary’s Grade School, Will-Moore Grade School and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit grade school. He then attended St. Mary’s Central High School, graduating in 1956. He then moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he was employed at the largest Ford Dealership in Delaware, Rollins Motors. Returning to Bismarck in 1957, he resumed his stock car racing dreams. At the end of the racing season, Bob joined the U. S. Army in October 1957. He did his basic training at Fort Carson, CO, and then was transferred to Fort Eustis, VA, for his training in aviation mechanics. After graduation from the basic and advanced Aviation classes, he was assigned to his permanent unit, Aircraft Service Center #1, right there at Fort Eustis. He did aircraft mechanical work until advancing to the Tech Inspection Unit and in that position, he traveled the 2nd Army area doing inspections on all fixed wing and rotor winged aircraft. He was honorably discharged from the Army in October 1960 and returned to Bismarck. 

Bob married the love of his life, Donna Jean Heinert, in November 1960. From that union came three children, Roberta Harvey Stacey, Father Frederick R. Harvey, Jr., and Patricia Harvey Riely. He was blessed to have five grandchildren and one great grand daughter from his two daughters and felt so very blessed to have a Catholic Priest as a son. Bob did auto body work after his discharge at Bob’s Body Shop, owned by Bob Anderson. In 1962, Bob started his Law Enforcement career with the Bismarck Police Department. Being a new officer, Bob walked the beat as he learned about being a police officer. He later advanced to the patrol division and was one of Bismarck’s motorcycle officers, a job he really enjoyed. He attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in 1968. When he returned after graduation, he worked in detectives and then the training division. Also, during this time, Bob started his college education process, as he could see that that was an important aspect in his career. He graduated with his A.A. and A.S. degrees. By obtaining federal grants, Bob helped develop the Bismarck Police firearms training range and training center which was located on the airport property south of Bismarck. In 1974, Bob assumed the position of Police Science Instructor and head of security police at the United Tribes Training Center, located south of Bismarck. 

In 1974, Bob decided to run for the position of Burleigh County Sheriff and won his first election that year while attending Minot State College. He graduated from there with his B.S. degree in 1976. He went on to win six additional elections before retiring at the end of his final term on the last day of December 2002. During his almost forty-one years of law enforcement, he served on many boards and in many positions. He served on the board of the North Dakota Sheriff’s and Deputies Association and served as its’ president, the board of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association and served as its’ president, the board of the F.B.I. National Academy Associates and served as its’ president, was a member of the curriculum development committee for B.S.C. in the very early years of their program, to name just a few. Bob received the Lone Eagle Award from the N.D.P.O.A. in 1980 and received a runner-up award for being a Top Cop in 1994, from the National Association of Police Organizations.

One of the most impacting things that happened in Bob’s life was the religious pilgrimage he and Donna went on in 2000 to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina. That pilgrimage was the first of many, as he and Donna have gone every year until 2014. The pilgrimage is so special because it was not only a religious pilgrimage, but the groups would also take humanitarian supplies to that small war torn country and the people there were so appreciative of the items taken to them. Many people here in the Bismarck area have donated so much to do what they can in helping the people in Bosnia. They will be blessed for their efforts.

Bob is survived by his wife, Donna, of 64 years; his children: Roberta Stacey and her children, Stephanie, James, and MaryBeth (Chris) Stegall, Father Fred Harvey, and Patty (Brad) Riely and their children, Katie (Chase) Ballard and their daughter, Blaire, and Korie Riely; his sister, Nancy (Don) Polasky and family; as well as his in-laws and extended families.

He was preceded in death by his father Fred and mother Maxine, his sisters Patricia Eysaldt and Kathleen (Tinker) Cowles and his brother, Charles, and his father and mother-in-law, Matt and Rose Heinert, his maternal grandparents Max and Dolores Kupitz and his fraternal grandparents that he never got to meet, and his son-in-law, David Stacey. We are also remembering all the family that passed before him.

In lieu of flowers, Bob prefers memorials to go to any charitable foundation of your choice.