ROBERT DEREK BARTON

1920 - 2014

MOUNT PROSPECT - Robert Derek Barton, 94, died August 13, 2014 at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, IL. He was born March 11, 1920 in Weir, Mississippi, the son of Frank and Kathryn Black Barton. He graduated from Mississippi State College in 1940 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1941 through the ROTC Program. His first job out of college was with Underwriter's Laboratories in New York City. In May 1941 Mr. Barton was ordered to active duty at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois and shortly afterwards was sent to the Philippine Islands. September of that year he was assigned to the 91st Coast Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts) on Corregidor. He was placed in charge of the Mine Casemate, which controlled the mines planted at the entrance to Manila Bay. He became a POW when Corregidor fell on May 6, 1942. He was initially shipped to Cabanatuan. In October 1942, he and approximately 1500 others were transferred to Mukden, Manchuria, where they remained until their Liberation Day, August 20, 1945. After the war, Mr. Barton returned to his employment with Underwriters Laboratories in Chicago. He met and married Jane Gilmore Blythe in 1948, and retired from UL as Senior Vice-President in 1985. He was preceded in death by his wife, his mother and stepfather David Glass of Kosciusko, MS, and his sister Jean Barton Parker of Grenada, MS. He is survived by a son James (Sharon) Barton, of Philadelphia, PA; daughters Ellen (Michael) Lavigne of Oak Park, IL; Emily (Michael) Carroll of Wheaton, IL; and Margaret (Edward) Canary of Glenview, IL and eleven grandchildren. Mr. Barton was a long-time member and a former trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights. Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004 on Saturday September 6 at 1 PM. Graveside services private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, IL. Arrangements were made by Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, 847-255-7800 or www.friedrichsfh.com.