Robert Keith Harlan, 87, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away at home on Thursday, August 21, 2025, surrounded by family.
Keith was born February 16, 1938, to Ralph and Faye Burley Harlan in Dexter, Iowa. His early life was spent on different farms near Dexter, Pitzer, and Winterset. He graduated from Winterset High School and married his high school sweetheart, Joan Nichols, in November 1956, and remained married until her death in 2017. Together they raised three children Rick, Cindy, and Pam. After Joan’s death he was blessed to find love again with Karen Stender Oathoudt. He was welcomed into her family and was blessed as they came to love and cherish him as he loved them. Keith and Karen were married over six years until his death.
Keith wanted to get away from farming so he and Joan left for San Diego after their marriage and he went to work at an airplane factory. They missed home so came back and he went to work for A.M. Cohron & Son. Keith worked his way up the ladder from a crane operator to foreman to President to Chairman. Keith was Iowa Associate General Contractors president in 1987. He was inducted into the Iowa AGC Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2020, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Iowa AGC “in recognition of his remarkable leadership to his business, industry and community.” He also served on the National AGC Board and was a Lifetime Board Governor. Keith served on TRIP, which is a group located in Washington DC and responsible for publication of information concerning the condition of our nations’ roads and bridges. He believed that the industry he worked in had some of the finest, most honorable people. He attributed his work ethnic to Don Cohron, who became a mentor for Keith.
He gave back to his community and served on Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Airport Commission and Vision Atlantic. He was a member of Rotary International. Keith was a man of humility, generosity, and he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Keith’s faith in God was the core of his life after accepting the Lord in 1979. He served as a deacon for many years, supported Christian missions, and was a member of the Gideons. He has been a pillar of faith and strength and daily prayed for all his family; those prayers will continue to be felt and answered. His family meant everything to him and he was so proud of each and every one and all their accomplishments. Keith developed many friendships in his professional and personal life. Many of those people reached out to him and let him know how much he has meant to them.
The farm life never left Keith as he collected John Deere tractors and antique cars that he enjoyed putting in shows. Keith got his pilots license in 1974, and would fly the company plane to check bridge construction sites across the midwest and when needed, fly family to their destinations.
Keith is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Rick (Mary) Harlan; daughters, Cindy (Brian) Breen and Pam (Mike) Wagner; eight grandchildren, Crystal (Joe) Niforos, Jesse (Emilee) Harlan, Casey (Andrew) Bozarth, Andrea Scow, Janny (Ryan) Crotty, Megan (Zach Sofsky) Breen, Nicole Wagner, Lacy (Shannon) Crall; fifteen great grandchildren; Kora and Leo Niforos, Rylee, Reese, and Rowen Harlan, Redd, Crosby and Evie Bozarth, Maren and Nolan Scow, Liston and Nash Crotty, and Kayden, Parker, and Johanna Crall; his brother, Bruce (Lynda) Harlan; sister-in-law, Pamela Harlan; and many nieces and nephews. Also held dear are his step-children; Terry (Cindy) Oathoudt, Krista (Brad) McDonald, John Oathoudt and Jason (Holly) Oathoudt; 14 step-grandchildren; Jake (Molly & Cooper) Karns, Joey Flathers, Matthew & Brandon McDonald, Melissa (Jesse) Horton, Levi, Brian (Sara,) Caroline and Helen Oathoudt, Jake and Joey Oathoudt, Joaquin, Jake Robert and Leighton Wailes; step-great grandchildren, Alexis (Nick) and children Denver, Nova, & Colson Edwards, Ty, Deegan, Avah and Logan Flathers, Malachi Horton, Emery and Wylder Oathoudt; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Arlo Stender and Kent (Julie) Stender and Shirley Stender.
Keith was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan; parents, Ralph and Faye Harlan; in- laws, George and Helen Nichols; sister, Barbara Edwards; brother, Roger Harlan; sister-in-law, Linda Osborn; and grandson-in-law, Edward Scow.
Open visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., Friday, August 29th at Roland Funeral Home followed by visitation with the family present from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 30th at Hillside Hope Assembly, 1913 E. 22nd Street, Atlantic. Pastors Al Hazelton and Alex Brumley will be presiding. Interment will be held immediately following the service in the Atlantic Cemetery. Please join the family for lunch after the burial at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Keith’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
