Robert August "Bob" Barbero

1926 - 2014

BARBERO, Robert August, died October 28, 2014 in Tucson at the age of 88. He was born to Alice (Mullani) and August Barbero in Pittsburg, his home until attending the University of Oklahoma. At OU, he was a varsity wrestler, a member of Sigma Tau, and inducted into the engineering honorary Tau Beta Pi. As a senior, he was named a 1947 Man of Might and graduated with a BS in Engineering. Bob also served in the US Naval Reserves attaining the rank of Lieutenant. He married the love of his life, Hanna Elizabeth (Beth) Philips, also of Pittsburg, in 1956 and they reared their children in Tulsa before moving to the Catalina Foothills 37 years ago. They enjoyed each other's company, traveling, playing golf, and entertaining grandchildren.

Bob was predeceased by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Barbero of Kansas City, and by his beloved Bethy in 2012 after 56 years of marriage. He is survived by their son, Robert Blair Barbero of Houston and daughter, Mary Beth Barbero-Portman (husband Leo) of Oklahoma City. He was "Papa Bob" to his three grandchildren; Elizabeth Portman Black (husband Campbell) of Dallas, John Portman of Denver and Emily Portman of Norman, Oklahoma, and recently, with great pride, welcomed his great-granddaughter, Charlotte Palmer Black.

Bob also leaves life-long friends Ozzie Shoup of Kansas City and Fred Mitchelson and his family, of Pittsburg.

Anyone who met Bob knew he had a sense of humor. He was wickedly intelligent, always gregarious, and at times outrageous, which made for many stories that both delighted and horrified his family. He was proud of his Italian heritage and could stumble along in several languages and curse fluently in two. He was an Eagle Scout and was delighted that his son and grandson also attained the rank of Eagle.

The family wishes to thank Bob's trusted caregivers and his dear Tucson friends, who made it possible for Bob to remain in his home, as he wished.

A memorial mass was held Friday, October 31 at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Tucson. Inurnment for both Bob and Beth will take place in Pittsburg at Highland Park Cemetery at a later date.