Robert H. Barnard

Robert Henry 'Bob' Barnard, 72, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away peacefully at his home with his family on Saturday, March 14, 2026. His battle with pancreatic cancer was indicative of his desire to handle every obstacle that came his way.
He was born on August 17, 1953, in Sturgeon Bay to Raymond and Emma (Crow) Barnard, the youngest son of their ten children. Robert graduated from Sevastopol School and attended NWTC to study welding. He worked many years at Peterson Builders Inc. (PBI) building ships and at Peninsula Creations building cabinets.
On June 22, 1974, Robert Henry Barnard and Jeanne Linda Erickson were united in marriage in Juddville at the Hermitage, home of Jeanne's parents, Howard and Miriam Erickson. Robert and Jeanne were members of the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, where Jeanne sang in the choir and Robert was a trustee. Jeanne preceded Robert in death on August 21, 2022 after 48 years of marriage.
Bob was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. He helped manage the Barnard Orchards for many years. In later years, the orchard was turned into forestry preservation land where he and his family have enjoyed hunting for decades. He mentored many of the younger generations in his family while they were hunting together, an annual tradition. Bob was also a Boy Scout troop leader for several years through the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church. He enjoyed making mass amounts of venison stew for the annual Boy Scout dinner as well as being the unofficial potato masher for the Lumberjack Supper. Bob was an active member of the Henry S. Baird Masonic Lodge where he was a Worshipful Master. In his later years, Bob was the keeper of all the family genealogy as it was a passion of his to document the family origins. He enjoyed traveling all over the US to visit family and keep the connections strong. He also loved a raucous card game with family and friends, often extending into the wee hours of the morning.

Bob imagined himself to be a cowboy. He lived vicariously through all the Western movies and television series he watched over and over. At any time you visited the house in recent years, you were sure to see him watching John Wayne while cuddling with his best buddy, his silver lab, Macintosh.

Bob will be missed by his loving children, Ann (Bryan) Birnschein and Andrew (Becky) Barnard; grandson, Rachata (Dorca) Birnschein; siblings, William (Jeanne) Barnard, James Barnard, Thomas (Branch) Barnard, Kathy (Bob) Zimmerman, Carl (Christine) Barnard, and Mariellen Haen; siblings-in-law, David Hamilton, Sylvia Carpenter, Liz (Bob) Dickson, Michele (John) Packett, MyChi Erickson, and Soledad (Matthew Mikkelsen) Erickson; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne; parents, Raymond and Emma; parents-in-law, Howard and Miriam Erickson; siblings, Margaret Hamilton, Douglas Barnard and David Barnard; brother-in-law, Tony Haen; niece, Elizabeth Barnard; nephews, Baby Jonathon, Kevin Barnard, and Tyrone Packett.

Robert's life will be honored with a memorial service on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church (836 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235). Luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall. He will be laid to rest in Bayside Cemetery in Sturgeon Bay at a later date.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until to the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Robert's name to the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, Henry S. Baird #174 Masonic Lodge, or the Sturgeon Bay Boy Scout troop.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Unity Hospice and to the Door County EMS team and first responders for their care and compassion.

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC of Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Barnard family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Robert may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.