Robert Bernard Barcroft

1919 - 2007

Robert Bernard Barcroft
10/19/1919 - 1/9/2007

Born October 19, 1919 in Merced, Calif. to Frank and Panzi Barcroft, Bob died January 9th, 2007 of congestive heart failure.
One of the last of The Greatest Generation and a decorated war veteran, Bob, affectionately known as Bapa to the Brown-Hansen families, regaled any and all with tales of his exploits in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was a proud member of the B-26 Marauder 397th bomber group of the 596th squadron, stationed in England and France. Graduating as a pilot from the Lubbock, Tex. flight school in July of 1943 at the young age of 24, he went on to fly 69 missions over Germany and occupied countries within Europe, including a flight over Paris on D-Day, his sturdy plane being hit with shrapnel a number of times throughout. He would recite that, before every mission, he would throw his rucksack up against the front wheel of his plane for a twenty-minute nap. It was the only way he could cope with the stress of waiting for each impending mission. He was very close to his bomber group and remained in contact with them throughout the years after the war by telephone, cards, letters and annual reunions of the squadron.
Bob was a lifelong fan of jazz music and, during leaves in France, he spent his time listening to European jazz greats in Paris. A visit to his home would always include the sounds of KJAZ or his respectable jazz CD collection filling the air and setting the jovial mood.
Bob's final 15 years were spent in Roseville, where he enjoyed many friends and acquaintances in his, neighborhood. Always a great lover of dogs, Bob had an uncanny knack to communicate with and befriend even the most sheepish variety. Neighborhood dogs and their owners were so drawn to him that he frequently earned extra money during retirement by dogsitting.
Bob was remarkably amicable and to know him was to love and adore him. He always made instant friends wherever he went and, for those fortunate enough to have met him, they will certainly never forget him.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eleanor (nee Kern) Jensen Barcroft, his ex-wife Florence Pearl LaLonde, and his brother, Milton Barcroft. He is survived by his son, Richard Lee Barcroft and wife Doreen of Magalia, Calif., stepdaughter Connie Hayes and husband Bill of Lafayette, Calif., stepdaughter Susan Brown Hansen and husband Robert of Davis, Calif., grandchildren Dylan Brown and wife Sara of Berkeley, Calif., Shannon (Brown) Karlich and husband Michael of Toluca Lake, Calif., Heather and Wendi Barcroft of Georgia, Amy Mechem of Bethel Island, Calif., great-grandchildren Sofia and Julia Brown, Dean and Jensen Karlich, Kelly Gonzalez, Kaleen Wittmeier, and April Mahoney, and four great-great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lucille Barcroft of El Cerrito, Calif. and his nephew, Chris of Berkeley, Calif.
The families are especially grateful to the excellent full-time care he received during his final illness from Dick King and Bob's special friend, Irene Poothamby.
Services will be held at Abundant Life Fellowship on Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 2 p.m., 706 Atlantic St., Roseville, CA. The service is open to anyone who would like to attend.