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Obituary for Robert H. Barnard
Robert H. “Bob” Barnard passed away peacefully at his home in Madison, MS, on January 19, 2020 at the age of 90.
Bob was born Friday, July 13, 1929 to Arthur Barnard and Esther (Mimi) Pickels in Norristown, PA. Bob attended Manhasset High School on Long Island and graduated from Clarke Preparatory School in Hanover, New Hampshire. He continued his education at the University of Virginia - “The University” as Bob proudly (and frequently) described - where he majored in Mathematics and was goalie for their national championship lacrosse team. He was a proud member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity and T.I.L.K.A. – a society dedicated to preserving the traditions of the university. One of Bob’s many favorite moments at Virginia was his chance meeting with Albert Einstein in his college advisor’s office. Bob invited Einstein to lunch at his fraternity, but not until he casually stopped to introduce him to all his friends as he drove cross campus.
After attending college, Bob enlisted in the Navy as a Naval Air Cadet. He completed advanced Naval air training near Corpus Christi, Texas, where he met his wife, Louise. While they have enjoyed 65 years together, Bob enjoyed telling the story of driving from south Texas after the wedding, stopping at the Louisiana state line with his tearful new bride, and asking if they should proceed to the honeymoon or drive back home to drop Louise off with her father. With his Naval duties completed, Bob took a job with the Union Carbide Corp. in Ohio and welcomed twin boys, Tom and Peter. Union Carbide relocated the Barnards to its regional headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. While living in Hinsdale, Illinois, Bob devoted years of service as president of the local school board, as a member of the village board, as well as a member of the vestry of the Hinsdale Union Church. After nearly 30 years with Union Carbide, new business ventures brought Bob and Louise to Mississippi.
In Mississippi, the Barnards found a home at the Jackson Yacht Club where Bob became Commodore and was faithfully dedicated to many programs, including Junior Sailing. Bob’s passion for sailing started at the age of 5, in a cardboard box with sheets for sail in his back yard, and lasted well into retirement. In sailing, he had a competitive drive, earning him many first-place awards at the JYC and around the Gulf Coast. He was also a distinguished Old Goat for his many Chicago-to-Mackinac races at the Chicago Yacht Club. Crew members remember Bob as taking the helm at the start of a 3-day race, only to relinquish it at the finish.
Bob’s passion for sailing is only eclipsed by his love for his wife, his sons, and his love of all his “grandchildren.” The many friends they met through JYC, Galloway Church and the Roses Bluff community have become his family. So he counts not only his “birth” grandchildren as his own (Peter, Katie, Bobby, Ali), but also the children of his dear Mississippi friends, Matthew, Samuel, Christopher and Patrick (Weems); Kris Abbott, Anna Rachel, and Russel Todd (Roberts).
Bob is survived by his wife, Louise Rupp; his children, Tom and Peter Barnard (and their spouses Katherine and Teressa); his grandchildren Bobby, Alexandra, Peter, and Katherine; his beloved nieces Ann and Betsy, and their beautiful families. Preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth, and his brother, Arthur.
Service to be held at Galloway United Methodist Church on Wednesday, January 22 at 1:30 pm. Followed by a reception at the church gathering area. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Galloway United Methodist Church, Baptist Hospice Services and the Jackson Yacht Club Youth Foundation.
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