Barbee Janet SCHEIBNER

(Age 87)

Barbee passed away in Spokane on February 24, 2025. She was born on July 23, 1937, in Spokane, Washington, to Edward and Maud Scheibner.

She attended Jefferson grade school and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1955. After receiving her Natural Sciences degree from Washington State University in 1960, she joined the technical staff as a geologist at the Spokane Mining Research Center of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Barbee worked for the Bureau until her early retirement in 1996 when the Bureau was dissolved. During her tenure she authored several National Technical Reports.

Barbee was an active person. She was a rockhound and over the years was able to build a huge rock collection, most of which was eventually donated to the Geosciences program at Easter Washington University. She enjoyed gardening and canning of fruits and vegetables that she raised herself. She was an avid opera fan who regularly attended the Met opera broadcasts at the NorthTown Mall.

In the late seventies Barbee purchased her first horse and started on the road to becoming an active equestrian, eventually owning four horses. She was an active member of the Appaloosa Horse Club and participated in the multi-state Chief Joseph Trail Rides and the timed 100-mile national race. She was a charter member of the Inland Empire chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCH) and while in their service helped create the first detailed trail maps of Mt. Spokane State Park and Riverside State Park. Barbee was generous with her time and over twenty-eight years was a ready volunteer serving as chapter president, chapter secretary, awards committee member, trail guide creator, and work party participant. She also found time to participate in the trail rides and other events of the Trail Markers Saddle Club.

Despite these activities, Barbee found time to serve as secretary and board member of the Riverside State Park Foundation and Advisory Board and as a member of the Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park and Advisory Committee; the Dishman Hills Alliance, and the Inland Northwest Trails Coalition. The Conservation Futures Program also benefited from her help.

Barbee never married. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her half-brother, Charles Scheibner (Jessie).