Obituaries

Dr. Robert Fredrick Barnes, Ph.D., M.D.

4/24/1937 - 2/22/2025

Text:

Obituary For Dr. Robert Fredrick Barnes, Ph.D., M.D.

Robert Fredrick Barnes, 87, was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend who passed away on February 22, 2025.

Robert was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 24th, 1937, to Dr. Russell Barnes and his wife Bertha Barnes. He spent his early childhood in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where he met Virginia Miller, who would eventually become his wife over 20 years later. At age 8, his family moved to Mansfield, Ohio, where he later graduated from Mansfield High School in 1955.

Robert attended Oberlin College from 1955-1957 and transferred to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), earning a B.S. degree in 1960. In 1967, he earned his Ph.D. in solid-state physics with a minor in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he was also a teaching and research assistant. Upon completing his Ph.D., he began employment as a physicist at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. in the Plastics Department in Wilmington, Delaware, from 1967 to 1971. After those 4 years, Robert decided to change occupations and attended Hahnemann Medical College. He was awarded his M.D. in 1976 after a residency in Internal Medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital from 1976 to 1979. During Robert’s education, he was honored by the Society of Sigma Xi at M.I.T. in 1960, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellow from 1960-1961, and received the Clinical Teacher of the Year Award in 1980-81 in the Allegheny Family Physicians Residency Program.

As a practicing internist, he worked for SKF Industries from 1980-2003, Beers, Egan & Barnes from 1979-83, and Blair Medical Associates from 1983-1998. He was affiliated with The Altoona Hospital Center for Medicine, serving on numerous hospital committees. He was also employed as the Medical Director of Quality Affairs for the Altoona Hospital from 1998 to 2003. His fascination with computer science, experience with DuPont Fortran, and research in the DuPont Plastics Department wove symbiotically into his internist and hospital administrator roles. These diverse skills allowed him to improve the mechanics and efficiencies of the local medical industry.

Robert was respected by his peers and co-workers and loved dearly by his patients, particularly his geriatric ones. He was committed to delivering excellent care to all his patients. Although his practice was generally closed to new patients, a phone call to his wife, Virginia, often wiggled another patient onto his schedule.

Robert was known to many for his integrity, steadfast character, and ability to explain scientific phenomena in great detail. He held an unwavering commitment to his wife and the support of his family. Annual summer trips to the beach with the Lees Family and his children (and later his five grandchildren) over 50 years were a greatly anticipated pilgrimage that created loving, joyful, fun-filled memories. Upon retirement, he and Virginia spent their 70s traveling the world with lifelong friends Joe and Nancy Lees. He loved reading books about science, efficient business organization, and computers. Books were often a favored gift to those he cared for, and the titles were chosen carefully to provide wisdom and guidance for the recipient. Robert also enjoyed playing chess, researching family genealogy, puttering on his computer, and spending time with his devoted and energetic labradoodle, Cocoa.

Robert is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 60 years, Virginia (Miller) Barnes; his son, David Barnes; and David’s children, Shannon and Shane. He is also survived by his daughter, Catherine Neligan, her husband, Patrick Neligan Jr., and their children, Miranda, Matthew, and Henry. He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Long; brother-in-law (and dear, treasured friend), Dr. William Miller, Ph.D., and his wife, Mellissa Miller.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Russell Barnes, M.D.; his mother, Bertha Barnes; his brother, Dr. Russell Barnes, Ph.D.; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Barnes; and his brother-in-law, Dr. David Long, Ph.D.

The immediate family will conduct a private service and burial following the wishes of the deceased.

The family would like to thank the staff on the sixth floor at the Altoona Hospital and Homewood at Martinsburg for their excellent care and compassion during Robert’s final days.

Arrangements are provided by The Stevens Mortuary, Inc., 1421 8th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602.

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.

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Condolences

  • 07/25/2025

    Sharon and Phil James

    We stumbled on this when going over old memories. If you get this, Virginia, you can reach us at p22jamed@gmail.com. We would be interested in corresponding. Sharon and Phil James

  • 02/27/2025

    Dana Shade

    I will never forget the kindness and compassion Dr Barnes showed my grandparents in their final years. He even made house calls. We were blessed to have him as our family physician and a friend.

  • 02/26/2025

    Kathy Meckley

    With tears flowing, but joy in my heart I recall the dedicated physician and friend, Bob. We worked together 20 years at Altoona Hospital, Regional and Bon Secoure, trying our best to assure Quality, compassionate care was provided to all patients. Bob was the epitome of kindness and caring when interacting with our patients. Kathy Meckley

  • 02/26/2025

    Jim Robuck

    Bob was a great friend and mentor, both professionally and in life. I will miss him very much. - Jim Robuck

  • 02/26/2025

    Jeff Binney

    Bob was a wonderful man, physician, and partner of mine at Blair Medical Associates. I always knew that when Bob was on-call, that my patients would receive the best care and would be treated just like his other patients. He and Virginia were also very close friends, so we will miss him very much. Our sincerest condolences, Jeff and Vicki Binney

  • 02/25/2025

    Ed Grab

    Chabela and I are saddened by his passing. It was my great fortune and privilege to have had him as a friend and colleague. His keen intellect, absolute and total dedication to his patients to whom he always provided with good counsel and compassioned care, made him the embodiment of the ideal that all physicians should strive to attain. Our hope for all those who loved him, is that the passing of time be a balm for your pain and that the memory of all the happy days remains with you for all the days of our lives. Chabela and Ed Grab

  • 02/25/2025

    Marjorie Wallace Henry

    Bob was a treasure, and a compassionate doctor and friend. The world needs more people like Bob. He will be missed.

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