Unsinkable spirit: EM couple cleans up

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By Times staff | Monday, August 25, 2008 2:07 PM CDT | () comments

Herbert and Syble “Kitty” Harker’s frame house in East Moline stands unbowed after being lashed by storms and heat, wind and lively chapters of family life during its century of existence.

The latest page-turner occurred June 12-13 when torrential rains slammed the city and deluged the sewer system. Water poured into the Harkers’ basement and destroyed more than $24,000 in possessions and appliances. Other residences in the area also were affected.

The family photographs, including those of a granddaughter who died of leukemia, were “smeared, smushed, gone. You could see waves where the water had gone,” says daughter and caregiver Robin Johnson of East Moline. She lives close by to her parents’ house.

Fortunately, the American Red Cross of the Quad-Cities put the couple up in a hotel while the waters subsided and paid for a new water heater. Having to temporarily move out of their home was difficult for the Harkers.

Herbert, a retired numerical control tooling technician, is wheelchair bound, diabetic and has to go to dialysis several times a week. Kitty has Alzheimer’s disease, which makes it impossible for her to comprehend the full extent of their loss. She grew up in the house and sometimes thinks her mother and grandmother are still there. And then she slips back into the present for a few moments during a conversation with Herbert on Friday.

“Tell me you love me,” Herbert said to his wife.

“Why would I want to lie,” Kitty said jokingly as she hugged him.

Johnson’s face echoes her frustration as she talks about losing her late daughter’s possessions.

“This breaks my heart. All her toys, the mementos of her are all gone,” she said.

Digital images show the devastation in the basement. Ruined clothing and important papers floating in sewer water. A freezer tilted on its side. A newly installed, 3-week-old water heater. The furnace. Washer and drier and the smell of sewage still lingers.

“Just nasty, nasty, nasty,” Johnson said. “It makes me sick reviewing these photos.”

“I lost a ’91 Crown Victoria, too,” Herbert said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave some assistance but not enough to cover all the expenses, Johnson said. East Moline firefighters provided the necessary muscle to get most of the debris out of the basement.

“They’re No. 1 in my book,” Johnson said.

Now, thanks to the generosity of businesses and individuals who donated to Unsinkable Spirit Flood Relief Fund, the Harkers will be getting a new washer and drier and and assistance with replacing food lost in the flood. They were nominated for assistance by the Rock Island County Senior Center, a service of Project NOW.

The Unsinkable Spirit fund was created by the United Way, Quad-City Times, Bix 7 and Quad-City River Bandits to help area residents affected by the devastating floods in June. Organizers have since expanded the fund to assist those affected by the tornado-like storm that ripped though the area in July, downing powers line and trees. Numerous residents and businesses have contributed to the drive, which is continuing through September.

To nominate someone in need of assistance such as the Harkers, fill out an online form available at qctimes.com/unsinkable_spirit.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.