Robert Barrows walked the earth with a certain steadiness and kindness that will surely be missed. After earning a B.S. degree and Teaching Credential from U.C. Berkeley and an M.S. degree from Holy Names College, Robert became a dedicated Calculus teacher at Pinole High School and a devout Christian who would help anyone who crossed his path. Most of all, he took care of his family, especially his mother Louise and had a loyalty to his wife, Maryann Wolfe, second to none. You could always recognize him by his beret and solid pace. He loved numbers and tracked everything from the miles he rode his bicycle to the exact number of socks he kept all lined up in his drawer. He was not a calorie counter though; he loved his dim sum and fine wines. He enjoyed life!

Robert suffered from leukemia and fought several heroic battles but succumbed on June 17. He died a man of principle, brave to the end.

Robert will be entombed at Rolling Hills Cemetery in Richmond at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23. A Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in El Cerrito at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 4. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 20 to Jun. 21, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Barrows

7 Entries

February 14, 2025

I had Mr Barrows for Algebra 2 and Math Analysis back in 1986-1988. He was one of my favorite teachers. Not only did he explain math well, but he was always so passionate and kind.

I recall one thing to this day. He said "Always label your axes otherwise they don't mean anything". That always stuck with me . I use that exact phrase when I teach math to my students.

W T

June 21, 2023

I had Mr Barrows for Math Analysis and Calculus at Pinole Valley High School and participated in the after-school Matheletes club that he led. He was an excellent teacher and human, and he kindled a lifelong passion for Math and excellence in me which carried into my career after college. Mr Barrows was also the target of many pranks which, on the whole, he took fairly well with good spirits. For instance, during the Swatch Watch craze, he became the owner of a "Mr Barrows Watch" that I made with his photo on the watch face (although every time that he would check the time, he would be staring at himself). My friend placed countless sticky notes on his back at the start of class which caused a lot of snickering whenever he turned to write on the board. His math classes were very interactive and we always tried to sit up front to be able to read the long problem solutions that covered every square inch of the board and be a part of the action. Mr Barrows genuinely cared about whether we understood the lesson and he would regularly stop to ask us if we were having any trouble following the logic. No other teacher had ever done that before and we felt like respected intellectual peers. Math class always felt too short. Going over a single problem solution could sometimes go right up to the ending bell. Unfortunately I moved away after graduation and was crushed with college and career workload and wish I had stayed in touch. He was a true kind soul.

Wayne Miller Family (Skip & Karen's 1st Cousin)

August 8, 2021

It has been years since we visited with Skip, Maryann, Karen & Bob Garcia. We were saddened to read of Skip's passing. We moved out of the area over 40+ years ago. We are hoping that leaving a message here might help us to get in contact with Maryann or Karen.
Please call us: 209-535-5227
Thank you in advance.

Wayne Miller

June 15, 2021

Robert, known to family as "Skip" was a soft spoken kind hearted young man. Too many years have gone by since we have had contact with him. Just by chance my husband ran into the obituary of Skip's. Many kind things were said by people that have had contact with him in recent years.
We have a desire to make contact with his wife, Maryanne and also Skip's sister, Karen Barrows Garcia. Last we heard she was living in New Mexico. She and my husband, Wayne, are 1st Cousins. If any one has a way to contact her please give her our contact information. We would love to talk with her.

Adrian Ku

March 15, 2017

One of my favorite teachers in high school! He taught me calculus, and it served as a solid foundation for me to study structural engineering at UC Berkeley. I was happy to see him on my way to work when I used to take the casual carpool in El Cerrito. He would walk with me all the way to OSH, at a pace that was uniquely his. We talked about my family, about life and serving others. I am glad I told him how much of a positive influence he had on my life. Rest in peace, Mr. Barrows!

June 24, 2015

How kind and caring he was.Will miss him.He will be back in a better world.

Juliette Lee

June 23, 2015

I will miss Bro. Barrows - his kindness, mildness and being so easy to talk to. Never forget him for being at the hospital from beginning to the end of my surgery - I was so surprised to see him still at the hospital after my recovery. Both him and Bro. Wiley. A wonderful person who I plan to see again at the Resurrection Festival. I plan to be on the RFC Resurrection Festival Committee.

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