Robert Jackson Barben

BARBEN, Robert Jackson, age 95, of Avon Park, FL, peacefully passed away after a long and productive life on Tues-day, Decem-ber 29, 2015. He was born June 22, 1920 in Huntingdon, PA to John Kinsloe & Sarah (Simpson) Barben. After graduating from Juniata College, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II becoming a pilot and was stationed at the American Flight Training Base in Lake-land, FL. In 1943, he was relocated to Avon Park, as a Training Instructor of B-17 Bombers where he met and married his wife, Jane Hartt in 1945. After the war, they returned to Pennsylvania where he attended Dicken-son School of Law, gradu-ating in 1949. In 1950 Bob and Jane returned to Avon Park where he worked for his father-in-law, Earl W. Hartt, in the family citrus and cattle operation. In 1976 he established his cit-rus operation as Robert J. Barben, Inc. He was a mem-ber of the Avon Park Noon Rotary Club, former Mayor of Avon Park from 1969-1974, a founding director of the Highlands County Growers Association and served on numerous coun-cils and boards related to citrus, agriculture, and conservation. He served as chairman of the board for the UF Foundation and the SHARE Council and was the recipient of the University of Florida's Distinguished Service Award for Agricul-ture. Bob was named Outstanding Agriculturist receiving the Agribusiness Institute's White Hat Award for his commitment to his community and state's agriculture. In 2012, he was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and in 2015 into the Avon Park Champions Club Hall of Fame. He was a founding director and former Chairman of the Board of Highlands Independent Bank. Bob was a devout Christian who taught Sunday School and served as the Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jane Hartt Barben; children, Anne Furr (Mike), Robert H. Barben (Mary), Jane E. Cassaras (Michael), Melinda Colson, John Barben (Laura), Patricia Garcia (Robert), William Barben (Nicole); nephew, Steve Hartt (Velva); grandchildren, Allyson Park (Sean), Mary Michelle Immenschuh (Charlie), Stephen Furr (Katy), Robert H. Barben, Jr., Bailey Barben, John Michael Cassaras (Courtney), Robert Cassaras, Nicholas Cassaras (Kristi), Jennifer Jackson (Ryan), Tate Colson, Ashleigh Barben, Jackson Barben, Mark Barben, William Garcia, Stephen Garcia, Kinsloe Barben, William Barben; great-grandchildren, Christopher Park, Lizzie Park, Josephine Immenschuh, Blair Cassaras, Emma Furr; great- nephews, Brad Hartt (Randie Jo), Ryne Hartt; brother-in-law, Leonard Fuoss; and nephews, Bill, Bob, and John Fuoss. He was preceded in death by his sister, Joanne "Jody" Barben Fuoss. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Avon Park Lakes Baptist Church. A private interment will be held in Bougainvillea Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 1110 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33870 www.chaptershealth.org or United Methodist Home for Children, Inc. www.umhcservices.org in Pennsylvania.