Robert Emmet Carney was born in Le Sueur, Minnesota on April 13, 1930 to Charles E. Carney and Marion (Davis) Carney.
He died August 14, 2013 in Oro Valley, Arizona, Where he has resided since 2012.
His family and friends, church, profession and education were most important to him. Bob's father was in the pea business and from Minnesota he moved his family to Wisconsin then settling in Mount Vernon.
Bob graduated from Mount Vernon High School, attended Skagit Valley College and graduated from the University of Washington in 1952. He attended Medical School at the University of Washington, completing his studies there with a residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
He married Mary Lou Borchardt of Bellingham in 1952. Following Medical School he served in the Army, stationed in Okinawa. Returning from the service, he practiced medicine in Lynden before joining the Boynton Clinic in Mount Vernon with Richard Hoag and Maynard Johnson. In 1968 he began a residency in Psychiatry at Northern State Hospital. He opened a clinic in Mount Vernon in 1971 and practiced psychiatry there until his retirement in 1995.
Bob had a brief period of rest and relaxation after his retirement and then he served as a locum tenens psychiatrist working in Maine, Kentucky, Idaho and Indiana.
Following Mary Lou's death in 1987, he married Barbara Ebeling Medlicott, a high school classmate, in 1988. They made their home in Burlington, WA until moving to Oro Valley, Arizona in 2012.
He loved music, especially Beethoven and Jazz, and he developed a love of Bluegrass while in Kentucky, which he shared with his family. He was a member of the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church since childhood and served as the Chairman of the building committee. He was extremely proud when the new facility was built. He also served on the Board of Directors for Mount Vernon School District for several years.
He was a man of true integrity. He was a wonderful storyteller and always loved a good joke. There was always a boyish twinkle in his eye.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara, his children, Betsy (John) Senff, Jane (Kelly Strong) Carney, Jim (Melody) Carney, Marilyn (Doug) Evans, stepchildren Will (Doris) Medlicott, David (Debbie) Medlicott, Sally (Michael) Dolan, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife (Mary Lou), his sister (Mary Carney Weeks), and stepdaughter (Anne Medlicott MacPherson).
A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 14 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association, the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation, or the Skagit Valley College Foundation in Bob's name.
Arrangements under the care of Vistoso Funeral Home 520-544-2285
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I think of this dear man so often ... such a guiding light in my life & it's a joy to remember him.
Nancy Alonso
August 15, 2022
Barbara, I'm so very sad to hear of Bob's passing. I worked for him for two years, and in that time, grew to love him dearly. I last saw him in my bakery in Sedro...he'd stopped in to say "Hi", and get a piece of carrot cake. Please accept my deepest condolences...I've thought of him often, and he will be missed. xxoox
Diane Falk
September 16, 2013
Boband I were partners in the practice of psychiatry for over 5 years back in the .70's.
We had great fun together, helping people sleep away their problems.
His background as a GP made him a very down-to-earth psychiatrist, who could care for all of your problems.
I will miss him greatly. Jim Reardon
Jim Reardon
September 14, 2013
Just thinking of Bob brings a smile. It was an honor to be called a friend.
Steve and Darcy Wells
September 14, 2013
It's a rare privilege to have worked with & to have known a man with the ability & "gift" to care so much, to listen so well, to see so much of the darkside and still maintain such a positive outlook for us all. He was a gift in my life. My heart goes out to Barbara & family. Happy Trails Bob! Cyndi Snider
September 9, 2013
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a wonderful man and made me smile every time I saw him. He will be greatly missed.
Janet Horen
Janet Horen
August 31, 2013
We know that you are gone but you will always remain in our hearts always. You were a great man and friend and loved your Filbert nuts we gathered each year for you. We had a lot of great times together and will always remember Bob that way. God Bless the rest of the family as our hearts go out as we lost a great man. Bob and Brenda Davis
Bob & Brenda Davis
August 28, 2013
Dr. Carney was a good friend of our family. My Mom, Ailene, worked for him for a number of years at the Boyton Clinic. He took me and his son Jim fishing on Hart Lake. We caught our limit! He took out my appendix when I was in the sixth grade. And he was there to help and support the family when my Dad Orris passed on. After my Mom passed on, he made a generation donation in her name to a nursing school scholarship fund.
Very find man.
Michael Ebbeson
August 27, 2013
Sorry to hear of Bobs passing, great man !! john Follman
August 27, 2013
Dear Jane and all the family,
We were so saddened to hear of the loss of your Father. Our love and prayers to all.
Nancy and "Shorty" McCullough
V. and N. McCullough
August 24, 2013
I am deeply saddened to hear of Bob's passing. I worked as a secretary for him over many years in the Mt Vernon office. He was not only my boss but my friend. Over the years since I've worked for him I always maintain he was the best boss I ever had.
Judy Petrin
August 23, 2013
I will always carry my dear friend Bob Carney in my heart. I worked for him for 15 years and every day felt his sincere interest and caring for everyone he met. He meant so much to me and I will miss his gentle, fun-loving spirit. Happy Landings Bob.
Nancy Alonso
August 23, 2013
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was such a great support to Dad during his illness and was such a good friend to him. I have so many good memories of spending time at your house when we were little. I hope good memories of him help to carry you through this time.
Kathy Voegtlin-Hulbert
August 22, 2013
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
American Heart Association
August 22, 2013
Barbara and family. Gil and I were so saddened by the news of Bob's passing. He was so excited about your move to Arizona when I talked with him one day at the grocery store. Our heartfelt condolences are with you and your family. He will be missed by all his friends and family. He was a good man.
Gil & Bonnie Mullen
August 21, 2013
Bob was my friend, neighbor, ski partner. Jokes,
Stories and laughter was our companion. Skiing has not been the same without Bob.
I loved his great stories.
Dave Groves
August 21, 2013
Barb and all the family,
We were so surprised to learn of Bob's passing when it was looking like things were getting better for him.
Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences at this most difficult time.
Jerry/Eva Fader
August 21, 2013
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