Barton, Robert Willey

January 29, 1941 - June 11, 2025

Robert Willey Barton, M.D., Ph.D., an accomplished physician and beloved family icon, died at age 84 on June 11.

Rob was born in Ann Arbor in 1941, the eldest of four children of Dr. Robert Linhart Barton, a dermatologist and syphilologist, and Edith Kathryn Barton, nee Willey, a registered nurse. From a young age, Rob displayed a sweet disposition, a prodigious intelligence, and a fierce love of family. Growing up in Dubuque, Iowa, he developed a tireless work ethic and a powerful ambition for academic and professional achievement, excelling at tennis and graduating from high school as valedictorian at 17. At the University of Chicago, he completed his bachelor's degree summa cum laude and earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in biochemistry, following in his father's footsteps with election to both Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. In Chicago he met Leslie Liebesman, a fellow medical student, and they married in 1964. They subsequently divorced in 1974. Rob completed his internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and a research fellowship at the NIH, during which he welcomed his eldest son, Todd Daniel Barton. A fellowship in gastroenterology at Washington University brought him to St. Louis. He soon met and hired Annie Mae Collins, who helped raise his five children and became a lifelong friend. Rob joined Internal Medicine Associates, established the first endoscopy lab at St. Luke's West, and became a committed Cardinals fan.

On Thanksgiving 1974, Rob met a sharp, lively new intern from Thailand, Dr. Premsri Tang (Tangshewinsirikul), known to family and friends as "Toon." They married in 1976. Four children would join Todd: Kevin Tang Barton, Melissa Rose Barton, Jeffrey Scott Barton, and Grant Willey Barton. In 1984, Rob fell gravely ill with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that left him physically disabled after almost 9 months of hospitalization. His disability forced him to give up endoscopy, but he returned to clinical practice until 1995. He continued at St. Luke's West as a volunteer teacher into the 2020s, attending morning report daily and preparing journal review sessions. His devotion was recognized with multiple teaching awards.

Above all, Rob loved his multigenerational family. Many survive him, including Premsri, his wife of 49 years; his brother Thomas Barton and sister Eileen "Gigi" Spencer (another sister, Lynne Graber, died in 2024); his niece Rattana "Ju" Sajjapong, her husband Somboon Sajjapong, and their son Ian Robert Sajjapong; his children and their spouses: Todd Barton and Maryl Kreider, Kevin Barton and Shannon Agner, Melissa Barton and Christopher Gackenheimer, Jeffrey and Amy Barton, and Grant and Naomi Barton; and 11 grandchildren: Lux, Sydney, Emma, Josh, Owen, Jude, Ansel, Alice, Aurora, Nora, and Phoebe. Rob's inclusive belief in family comprised colleagues at St. Luke's West, the Collins family, the Boonkham family, and many others across the United States and in Thailand. We will all love him forever and hold him tightly in our memories.

Celebration of life on Sunday, July 13, 10:30 a.m. at Lodge Des Peres. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the KETC-Channel 9, or to the charity of your choice.

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

Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Jun. 20, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Barton

7 Entries

Dhawesuk & Lada Tang

July 13, 2025

Dear Toon and family,

We were deeply saddened to hear about Rob´s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Rob was not only an extraordinary physician and teacher but also a beloved member of our extended family whose warmth, intelligence, and devotion touched so many lives.

His courage, especially in the face of illness, and his continued dedication to medicine and education are an inspiration. We remember him with great respect and affection-as a man of quiet strength, kindness, and unwavering love for his family.

May your memories together bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead. Please know that we are holding you all close in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

With love and sympathy,
Dhawesuk & Lada Tang

Leon R Robison, MD

July 5, 2025

Rob was a wonderful friend. I always found myself smiling and feeling good about the world when I was with him. Never was an ill word heard from him about others. I saw him almost every day for the years that he attended Morning Report for the medical residents at St. Lukes Hospital. Residents and we attending physicians hung on all his contributions - gastroenterology, general internal medicine, and life. Knowing him made life worth living so we are sad and will miss him.

Robert g Shultz md

July 2, 2025

I learned of Robbie death tonight from jimmy Pepe a cousin in oliphant furnace pa where the Willey were from a neighbor of myself and I remember fondly every summer they would come to visit rose and daisy willey his maiden aunts I was born in 1939 and was fortunate to become a physician also. I do remember looking forward every summer to seeing the Barton family. Interesting I also married a physician. So you have my condolences on the loss of obviously brilliant physician and great family man. Robert Shultz md

Walt and Karen Zaenker

June 29, 2025

Sending our sympathies for a very nice man and his wonderful family.

Sondra Alu

June 24, 2025

Dr. Barton a beautiful sole. He was a gentle giant. He walked thru the G.I. Lab and always had a smile and was always so pleasant a bright light to the world. May he rest in peace. Condolences to the family. Sondra Alu/St. Lukes G.I.Lab.