Barbara Kent

1928 - 2019

Barbara Kent obituary, 1928-2019, Menlo Park, Ca

Barbara Kent Obituary

Barbara Ellen Kent

"August 10, 1928 - March 19, 2019"

Barbara Kent was born in Kansas City, MO on August 10, 1928 to Dorothy Ellen and William J Kent and departed from this earth on March 19, 2019. After moving to Dallas, she attended Highland Park High School and played varsity basketball. She graduated from Texas Woman's University in 1948 with a B.S. degree in Speech. Barbara earned her certificate in Physical Therapy from Stanford University in 1949 and was later a National Foundation Teaching Fellow from 1959-1961, receiving an M.A. degree in Physical Therapy from Stanford in 1961.
From 1950 – 1957 Barbara worked in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as a physical therapist at John Peter Smith Hospital, Baylor University Hospital and local orthopedic offices in Dallas. She cherished the early days of her career working with young polio patients.
Upon moving to California in 1957, Barbara became a physical therapy educator at Stanford as an assistant, adjunct, and full professor, eventually being awarded Professor Emeriti in 1985. During her illustrious career, Barbara was a consultant and guest lecturer who published numerous articles, served on local, state and national boards, and received special awards including a Golden Pen Award and recognition in Worlds Who's Who of Women in Education. She served as the Acting Director of the Division of Physical Therapy at Stanford from 1977 – 1978 and was a lifetime member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She retired in 1985.
A 62-year resident of Menlo Park, CA, Barbara was a colorful, outgoing woman with a larger-than-life personality. She loved animals, especially cats, and treated them royally. Barbara enjoyed bridge, bingo, blackjack, the S.F. Giants and the 49ers, along with volunteering at Little House Senior Center.
Barbara was lovingly devoted to her family, many calling her "Poco" for her entire life, a nickname her dad gave her as a child because he said, "She is so little!" Barbara loved to travel and took many cruises and international trips with her parents and her close long-time friend, Beverly Schierenbeck.
Barbara is preceded in death by her father, William J Kent, and her mother, Dorothy Simpson Kent, her brother James Simpson Kent and her nephews James Simpson Kent, Junior, and William Stephen Kent. She is survived by her nieces Sylvia (Bill) Kent Pailthorp of Annapolis, MD and Wynette Kent of Dallas, TX, by eleven great- and great, great- nieces and nephews and many life-long friends whom she also considered family.
The family is deeply indebted to Barbara's countless friends and associates and to her loyal and devoted friend, Linda Rodriguez, and also to the compassionate staff at Nazareth Vista Skilled Nursing Facility. Barbara will be interred at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, TX.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Mar. 21 to Mar. 25, 2019.
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I was just with Mark Anderson and Gail Koshland and we told stories of Stanford and especially Barbara and Helen. Those 2 yrs- 1974-76- were significant for all us in the class of 76. We all miss Barbara and I know I think of her almost every day in some way. She was a huge influence and a wonderful teacher. I just miss her!
Melinda Fitting
Class of 1976

Melinda Fitting

March 17, 2020

In October of 2019, students educated at Stanford's School of Physical Therapy convened for a Lifelong Learning Symposium.
One of the events was a meeting where we shared memories of Barbara Kent, the wisdom she imparted and the way we have been better physical therapists and people in general, because of her.
Her voice continues to sound in our heads; we approach situations with compassion and intelligence, an acute sense of the importance of what we do, thanks in great part, to her instruction and guidance.
For us, Barbara Kent lives on every day. I think, in ways that they will never know, she does for our patients as well.
Her memory and words are very much alive in the hearts and souls of her students.
We miss her, but are so very grateful for the opportunity to have known and learned from her.
With gratitude, respect and love every day,
Celia Sabin deMayo, PT, OCS
Stanford University, School of Physical Therapy Class of 1984.

Celia Sabin deMayo

Student

March 15, 2020

Barbara was a gifted physical therapy clinician and teacher. She inspired countless students to be outstanding therapists throughout the country. She also had a warm and wonderful humor that all enjoyed. Her legacy will be remembered.

Maggie Pringle Grauer

April 28, 2019

Barb's love was a fierce love. She was full of passion and intelligence, demanding that all of us students bring that same kind of commitment and dedication to our patients. Many times in my career, I ran into administrators or rules that were not in the patient's best interest. Barb taught me to stand up for those who can't and to be a voice for those who need to be heard. I took these valuable lessons to the university as a professor, to the private practice setting, to Capital Hill, and to a federal case with the Dept of Justice. Barb's insistence on being informed and confidently standing up for my beliefs in challenging milieus resulted in many successes.
Thanks, Barb for seeing the diamond in the rough when I was just 21. Now my hands look like yours, all tight and gnarled, and I understand your devotion to all of us, your students.
Rest In Peace, dear friend. Your memory will forever be a blessing.
Much love,
Lynne Foltz, PT, MA, PCS
Class of 1976

Lynne Foltz

April 9, 2019

There are many memories of Barbara- my first semester I got a C in biomechanics ( I had been an English major in college..) and she patiently tutored me after class to try to get me to think differently about how things work- and she taught me the physics of how a body moves. She believed in me; I never got another C and I changed my study habits thanks to my friend Gail Koshland. Stanford PT school was a powerful place- it taught me to strive, really strive for excellence, it taught me teamwork, it taught me respect for people who were our patients. I have used my PT skills my whole career- and still love doing home visits as a geriatric psychologist. Barbara was there for me when I was in tears at during one of my clinical rotations and did not feel I was doing a good enough job; she was tough but she was a nurturer too and that combination was one of her special gifts to all of us. I learned about being an ethical professional from her as well as other professors and that standard was a high bar, achievable but high. She seemed to truly enjoy life, she had a love of people, and she was fun. I loved talking sports with her in her later years when we reconnected and she surprised me by telling me about how she had become a hockey fan too. It was one of the best moments in my career to be able to see her again and to thank her for all she did for me. My best to her family.
Melinda Fitting, class of 1976

Melinda Fitting

April 8, 2019

Barbara was the epitome of tough love as a professor. She cared deeply for her students and held us to the highest standards. My career in physical therapy has been shaped by Barbara's energy, insight, and encouragement. She basically got me my first job by pulling me into her office and telling me I needed to apply there. I remember riding my bike with fellow PT student Vicki White to Barbara's house to play bridge.
Our PT class of '76 had the honor of seeing Barbara in 2014 during a reunion. She was still sharp as a tack with her sense of humor fully intact! Barbara Kent will live on in the many students whose lives she touched.
Janet Maines Peterson, PT Class of '76

April 3, 2019

Barbara Kent was a tremendous influence on the lives of her students. She was remarkably accurate in her assessments of us, and we never dared make the same mistake twice. She passed on her concern and respect for her patients, her dedication to their care. She shared that same dedication as an educator. I feel lucky to have been among the last classes to benefit from her warmth, humor, wisdom and expertise. Her knowledge and dedication walk into the treatment room with each Stanford PT program graduate who was lucky enough to learn from her. She will be greatly missed, but her words and wisdom will live on through her students.
Rest In Peace, Barbara Kent! Much love, Celia Sabin deMayo, PT, OCS, Class of 1984

Celia Sabin deMayo

March 31, 2019

BK terrified me the first year, and I loved her by the end of it. She cross her arms on her chest, legs apart, and look down her nose at me and say "Now, Janet...". She was my test patient for my first exam--I had to MMT her finger flexor! Barbara, I know there are lots of cats and ice cream where you are. All my love, and thank you for everything you gave to us.

Jan Smick, MA, PT '84

March 31, 2019

Barbara Kent, a remarkable educator and mentor to generations of Stanford physical therapy students. With a powerful presence in the classroom Barbara left an indelible mark on her quivering newbies. She was tough but fair and had an incredible respect for our profession. It was her duty to make sure that you measured up and represented Stanford's Division of Physical Therapy honorably. I am forever in your debt. Rest in peace Barbara,I hope there are overhead projectors in heaven!

Dave Ponte MA PT OCS

David Ponte

March 25, 2019

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