Barbara Lathrop Welsh, PhD

Barbara Lathrop Welsh, PhD,  was born in New London, CT on July 30,1935, to Richard Thornton and Josephine Lash Lathrop.  She grew up during the time of the great Polio pandemic.  Her father did not allow her to socialize with many of her friends in close proximity, so to get out and enjoy herself, she spent several hours a day in her sailboat; a form of social distancing acceptable to her parents.  It is this pandemic, she believes, that shaped the course of her life.  She rapidly blossomed into a venerable racer on both yacht club and ocean courses.  Once she teamed up with her husband, Bob (whom she met on a blind sailing date), they became podium mainstays throughout the years, frequently winning multiple trophies.

Barbara received numerous individual awards for her navigational prowess on multiple ocean races, including Marblehead to Halifax, and celestial navigation on the Bermuda races.  Besides ocean racing, Barbara, Bob and their boat Χαριεmα (pronounced Charisma) frequently served as Committee Boat for Thames Yacht Club and Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association (ECSA) races. They were regulars for Off Soundings Club races, oftentimes winning their class.

Barbara loved cruising up and down the East Coast with Bob, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  It was not unusual for her to take a handful of family on intermittent legs of their journeys from Maine to the Caribbean, or to host a flotilla with her brother, Dick Lathrop, for three generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins, on a day cruise to Flat Hammock. There were so many adventures, but the current pandemic closed down the sailing for Barbara, and she said on more than one occasion her sailing life started and ended with pandemics. Her love of sailing and the water drew her quite fittingly into her profession.

As a woman of her day, Barbara was a pioneer in her field. She earned her PhD in Marine Biology from URI and became a Tenured University Professor at UConn Storrs Campus and Avery Point, notably the first female faculty member of the university’s Department of Marine Sciences (DMS). She was extremely interested in the health of Long Island Sound and led several studies for the State of Connecticut.  While simultaneously completing her masters degree and starting her PhD classes, she led teams within the US and Puerto Rico to study the environmental impacts of oil spills. As President of New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS), she led a team of scientists to China to research and give a paper on the effects of industry on the environment of their bays and estuaries, the first of two research trips to that country. She traveled the world during sabbaticals and numerous research projects with not only her graduate students, but many times her top collaborator husband and children. 

 “An esteemed colleague, inspiring teacher and good friend, she demonstrated what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.  Barbara set a standard, personal and professional, for all of us.” (Dr. Frank Bolan, DMS)

Barbara admired Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and was an avid fan of the UConn Lady Huskies. She loved listening to the Episcopal Cathedral organ, The Sound of Music, and visiting the little town of Salzburg, where it was filmed. She most loved to sip her coffee and enjoy the herons while watching the sunrise over Alewife Cove. 

Barbara married Robert Ireton Welsh, Jr. on June 9,1956. Their strong partnership of sixty-five years carried them through all their accomplishments and adventures. They have five children, eighteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, whom they took on amazing adventures. She always showed interest in where her family’s latest adventures took them, which she kept pinned on a world map displayed prominently on her dining room wall.  Her face would always light up as they shared their lives with her. 

As the Matriarch of her family, she saw 8 generations in her lifetime. Barbara will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank

Dr. Gaudio, Cardiologist of New London

Dr. J. Nester, Rheumatology at Mass General Hospital

Marc-Elliot Mastrandrea M.S. L.Ac.  

The many specialists and caretakers at Mass General Hospital and Fairview Rehabilitation Center 

for their diligence, kindness, support, and sincere interest working with Barbara and us to provide tremendous care during a long illness. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:LLS- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society  -  https://givenow.lls.org 

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research  https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate

The family will announce a Celebration of Life Ceremony at a later date.