Robert "Bob" Barfield

1937 - 2025

Robert "Bob" Barfield

October 10, 1937 - November 5, 2025

Robert "Bob" Barfield, 88, of Hazen, N.D. passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at his home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Peace Lutheran Church, Hazen with Pastor Walt Wolff officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. CT at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan, N.D.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, November 13 at Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah.

Bob was born on October 10, 1937 in Webb, Ala., to Robert E. and Lucy Jane (Flowers) Barfield. He attended school in Georgia and then transferred to Columbia, AL where he graduated in 1955. Bob joined the US Air Force after graduation at the age of 17. He signed up with a friend, although they were immediately separated and didn't see one another until they retired. He went through basic training and the schooling to become a crypto operator in communications before he was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb. Here he met his future wife, Vera Schaper, on a blind date. The couple was married on May 27, 1957 in Halliday, N.D.

Due to his military career, Bob and Vera went on to travel the world, including Alaska, San Antonio, Berlin, Germany, the Philippine Islands, and Ankara, Turkey, before retiring and returning to where it all began, Omaha. Throughout their travels, they had three sons, Robert Allen, Jr., Ricky Lynn and Russell Dean.

In retirement from the Air Force, Bob found a job closer to Vera's family in Hazen, N.D. He began working for West River Telephone in May 1975. Bob worked his way through the ranks and served as general manager for 10 years before retiring in 2000.

Bob enjoyed his John Deere equipment and doing lawn work. He and Vera spent seven years wintering in Florida, where they enjoyed being close to family.

Bob is survived by his wife, Vera; three sons, Robert, Jr. (Celeste) and their daughter, Gemma (Jordan) and their four children, Dev'ron, Leslee, Olive and Maverick; Ricky (Jelena) and their daughter, Amber (Ben); and Russell (Angie) and their son, Alex (Karisa) and their son, Landon Robert, and their daughter, Samantha; two sisters, Phoebe Fowler and Phyllis (Jerry) Skeen; one brother, Kenneth (Carole) Barfield; one brother-in-law, Willie Schaper; one sister-in-law, Clara Goetz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law; and one sister, Sylvia.

Throughout his life while in the Air Force, Bob always went ahead of his family to prepare a safe home and now he is still going ahead to prepare a place.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

Barbot Funeral Homes

1301 ND-49 ~ Beulah, ND 58523 ~ (701) 873-7700