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BORN
1945
DIED
2016
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Robert Barnes Obituary
1945 - 2016
Bob Barnes, 71, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 2, 2016 surrounded by his wife of 47 years and two daughters.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, April 8th at 2 pm at Ustick Baptist Church, 14301 W. McMillian Rd, Boise. Services are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel.
Bob was born on February 14, 1945 in Glendale, California. He grew up in Edmonds, Washington where he enjoyed playing sports, fishing with his dad, and scouting. He was an exceptional student athlete and was awarded an appointment to the US Air Force Academy. While at the Academy, Bob excelled as a football player and was recognized as Outstanding Squadron Commander in the class of 1967. His compassionate heart and tenacious work ethic led him to pursue medicine after graduation and was accepted to every medical school to which he applied. Bob chose to attend Duke University Medical School where he developed a passion for the challenge of cardiovascular surgery.
In June of 1968, Bob married Jean in a ceremony at the Air Force Academy chapel. They drove across the country to begin life together in North Carolina. There they were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Rachel and Caroline. Bob trained in general and thoracic surgery at Duke. In 1976, the family moved to San Antonio, Texas where he completed his medical training at Wilford Hall Air Force Hospital.
After leaving the Air Force in 1981, Bob joined a Cardiovascular practice in Boise, Idaho. His commitment to his patients made him a respected and highly sought-after physician. Despite his demanding schedule, Bob made an effort to express personal care and interest in his patients' lives, often going above and beyond expectations.
Bob retired from a distinguished career in medicine in 2003, the year he became a grandfather. "Papa" loved to visit his grandchildren and took up several interesting hobbies. Bob always loved gardening, but became particularly interested in growing table grapes and became involved in the Idaho Table Grape Association. He also became active in Bible Study Fellowship, took up bee keeping, and options trading. Bob was constantly challenging himself to learn something new!
Bob is survived by wife, Jean, of Boise, ID; daughters Rachel DeFrees of Parker, CO and Caroline Morris of Edmond, OK; sister Margaret Barnes of Lynnwood, WA; brother Richard Barnes of Lacey, WA; and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Contributions in Bob's memory may be made to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Air Force Academy Endowment, or Bible Study Fellowship International.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Barnes
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
David J Chavez RRT
September 13, 2022
It was an honor helping take care of Dr. Barnes patients at St Lukes PICU. Dr. Barnes will always be in my memories. Such a good man and a great surgeon, I admired him in so many ways. May you rest in peace.
Kevin Butler
July 5, 2020
I had the honor and privilege of working with Dr Barnes. First as a respiratory therapist then as a perfusionist/physician assistant. He was responsible for my acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine. I remain indebted to him and admired his dedication to patient care. My daughter observed several of his surgeries, loved the way he treated her with kindness and respect. His favorite music when he was finishing a case was Desperado by The Eagles. Every time I hear that song I smile and thank the Lord for the privilege of his presence. When I lost my position he was one of the first to reach out to me. RIP my dear friend. I pray I will see you someday. May I try and live my life a fraction how you lived yours.
Jack Bigler
March 30, 2020
I liked Bob Barnes and had the highest respect for him. At a time when I had very little focus and discipline in my life, he was an inspiration to me. I very much admire his achievements, and his service to his country as a doctor in the USAF.
Charlotte Upadhyay
August 16, 2019
For some unknown reason I decided to google Robert Barnes and was so sad to learn that he had died three years ago. He lived on my street, Elm Street, in Edmonds, Washington. I was the family babysitter! His parents, Esther and Barney were dear family friends. I kept in touch with his dear mother until her death. The family was so proud of him and his family. I'm so sorry to learn of his loss. My husband of 53 years died in 2015. The family attended my wedding.
Charlotte Peterson Upadhyay
July 3, 2019
As we were riding into Boise today fro the tandem rally, I thought of my long ago colleague Bob Barnes and I Googled him. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. We spent 78-81 at Wilford Hall, Lackland AFB as I was the Open Heart Team Leader. I smile at others recollections of how he could treat the smallest to the largest hearts with care. Boise was so lucky to have landed such a fine surgeon and a fine man. Till we meet again
Barb Bey Phillips, RN
Skip and Tammy Wilkins RN
March 29, 2018
My Husband and I worked as nurses in the 90's in Boise. He was at St Al's and I was at St Luke's PICU. We both had the pleasure of working with Dr. Barnes. Over the years we would talk about him and remember him fondly. He ran a very tight ship but those nurses who worked with him closely had complete love and admiration for him. His talent as a surgeon was remarkable as he cold fix the oldest hearts to the tiniest baby hearts. We just thought we would look him up today and found that he had passed. Our condolences to his family. RIP Dr. Barnes
Wendy Hites
August 31, 2017
Dr.Barnes did both of my open heart surgeries one in 83 and the last one in 95.. He was an amazing man!! When I graduated from high school him and Dr.Michael Nicholas sent me a card it was so sweet.. I will never forget him he saved my life!!
October 11, 2016
I would like to say I will always remember Dr Barnes in my heart. I will always remember how he saved my life by fixing my heart when I was only 9 months old. I am doing a report in school about my early life and saw that Dr Barnes passed away this year.
I have grown to be very healthy and happy 16 year old and if it weren't for his willingness to become a great surgeon I would not have lived passed a few years old.
May God Bless you and also be with your family.
Zahra Detweiler, age 16
Ashland
Dallas Grant
May 1, 2016
May God give comfort to Dr. Barnes' family at this most difficult time.
Jack Bigler
April 20, 2016
Bob was an Edmonds, WA High School classmate of mine. I liked Bob and admired him very much. He was an outstanding person, and truly an "all-American" man. He will be missed by everyone that came in contact with him.
George Swartz
April 14, 2016
Bob and I shared many classes at Edmonds High School. It was obvious to anyone back then that Bob would have a great future ahead of him which turned out to be very true. I am very sad to hear the news.
Suzy Hannus
April 14, 2016
I remember Bob from school in Edmonds. He was always friendly & smiling and had a great sense of humor.
Mary Bruce Haunreiter
April 13, 2016
I knew Bob and his parents when I was a young girl living in Edmonds, WA. Bob's parents were very dear to me. Bob was one of those great young men that everyone liked and he was a good friend. I am sorry he has died so young but he has left a wonderful legacy in his children and grandchildren. My thoughts go out to his wife and family.
Nancy Gundersen-Jones
April 11, 2016
I wonder if he was a cousin of mine. Edna Laura Barnes was my aunt. Was she his grandmother? We visited their family in Edmonds, WA. in the 60's.
Brian Jain
April 11, 2016
Dr. Barnes repaired one of my heart valves in July of 1994. He did this surgery on the very day that he returned from a fishing trip at Henry's Fork in eastern Idaho. This saved my life and allowed me to live a much more productive life. I'm gladdened to learn that he was a believer in Christ. I'll look forward to thanking him where he's doing his residency now.
Susan Buxton
April 10, 2016
Dr. Barnes changed my life. Not only was he a skilled surgeon who repaired my heart, he showed me that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We were able to have our daughter a couple years after the surgery. Dr. Barnes sent me flowers after her birth - a gift of grace that I remember often. Our prayers are with his family. Thank you for sharing him with his grateful patients. God bless.
April 9, 2016
It was always our pleasure to work with Dr. Barnes. He was an amazing surgeon as well as a good compassionate human being. We work to a higher standard even today because of the things he taught us and the standards he held us all too. He had a wonderful sense of humor as well and always a smile on his face when he came into the NICU. Another great MD friend of ours has gone on.
The NICU staff at Saint Alphonsus, and especially
Hilerie, Liesa and Gerri.
Suzanne Johnson
April 8, 2016
I had the distinct honor of meeting "Dr. B" in 2003 through his good friend Jeff Hurt. I have such respect for him as an exceptional physician, a truly caring person, a devoted family man, and a Christian of faith and good works who accomplished so much to help others. I'm sure he heard "well done, thou good and faithful servant" when he arrived in Heaven. He will be missed by many.
Sympathies to & prayers of comfort for all, Suzanne Johnson
Jocelyn Dart
April 8, 2016
Some people pass through life and leave it as they found it.... Dr Barnes you took the time to mentor and make the world a better place. Thank you! I extend my condolences to your family. RIP
Jocelyn Dart
April 8, 2016
Some people pass through life and leave it as they found it.... Dr Barnes you took the time to mentor and make the world a better Place. I appreciate everything I learned from you and incorporate it in my daily practice. RIP
Tiffany Bergquist
April 7, 2016
I respected and truly cared for Dr. Barnes. I first came to know him when I joined the open heart team at St. Luke's in Boise. He was a phenomenal surgeon, that had high standards that drove everyone that worked with him to do their best. Heaven had received an angel.Tiffany Bergquist, Windsor, CO.
Tammy Hayes
April 7, 2016
Jean, Rachel and Caroline,,
I am so very sorry to hear of Dr. Barnes passing. He was such a generous and kind man. I will never forget that he made time to come to my wedding reception. He was always so nice to me when I visited. You will all be in my prayers during this difficult time. May our Father in Heaven bless you and comfort you as he has me in grief. Love to you all.
The Gates Family
April 6, 2016
Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of Doctor Barnes.
The wonderful and most knowledgeable doctor saved the life of our Dad not once but three times.
Performing three open heart surgeries and eleven bypass grafts my Dad is now 82 years old.
Please accept our deepest and heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
April 6, 2016
Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of Doctor Barnes.
The wonderful and most knowledgeable doctor saved the life of our Dad not once but three times.
By performing three open heart surgeries and eleven bypass grafts our Dad is now 82 years old.
Please accept our deepest and heartfelt sympathy for your loss. The Gates Family
Pete & Cyndy Lounsbury
April 6, 2016
We are so sorry to learn of Dr Barnes's passing. His skillful hands repaired our infant son's heart on two occasions. Dr Barnes's concern for Sam's well being was evident for years afterward. How bless we were to have been in his care.
Our thoughts are with his family now. May you find peace in knowing what a huge difference he made in so many lives.
Debbie Herndon
April 6, 2016
RIP Dr. Barnes. thank you for mending a lot of broken hearts in the valley Always enjoyed when we called you down to the Cath Lab to consult on a patient.
Vanessa Klaus
April 5, 2016
It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to have worked with Dr. Robert Barnes.His selfless devotion to his patients and their families will live on in the lives he has restored.
" There is a light beyond these woods, Robert.I think that you shall go there, and see what makes it shine."
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