Robert Wiley Barry

Robert W. Barry, 93, a longtime San Antonio resident, was welcomed to his heavenly home
Saturday, March 4. He had been residing most recently in Knoxville, Tennessee, near his son.
Bob was the older of two children born to Patrick Henry and Maude Rider Barry on October 18,
1929. He grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a
BS degree in Mechanical Engineering.
While working at Phillips Petroleum after graduation, he was drafted into the Army and served
in Korea from 1953-55. After returning, he began work on his Master's degree in Mechanical
Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He worked at firms in Ft. Worth, Austin, Houston
and finally, San Antonio. He opened Barry Engineering in the mid-1970s and worked there until
retiring. He was active in the Alamo Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
and Air Conditioning Engineers, serving as its president in 1974.
Bob was a member of Wayside Evangelical Free Church, serving as an usher for many years. He
also enjoyed Game Nights at the church, especially playing Jokers Marbles. He was a classroom
volunteer at Colonial Hills, where he was a reading coach and mentor. He also was a group leader
in Bible Study Fellowship and frequently served as a volunteer at their Headquarters.
He was a self-taught golfer and spent many hours on San Antonio Municipal courses. He was
also a bowler, basketball player, hunter and fisherman. He coveted invitations to hunt doves in South
Texas from contractor friends.
Travel was a hobby and he was proud to say he had visited all 50 state capitals. Visits to children
and grandchildren also were included in travel plans.
He is pre-deceased by his parents and his wife of 65 years, Jo. He is survived by his children and
their spouses: Susan Thompson (Mark), Robert Barry (Susan), Laurel Appesland (Dave), Julia Bell
(Chip), Joan Seeley (Mike), 13 grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. He also is survived by his sister, Jane Trotter.
A Celebration of Life will be held March 13 at Mission Park Cherry Ridge, preceded by Visitation
at 10:30 am.