Warren Barrow

PITTSFIELD, Ill. - Dr. Warren C. Barrow, 84, of Pittsfield, died Thursday (June 20, 2013) in his home.
Warren Coultas Barrow was born March 11, 1929, in White Hall, a son of Adlai (Doc) and Marinda Barrow.
As a young man, he was an avid hunter and student athlete. He graduated from Roodhouse High School and attended Northwestern University in Evanston for three years before transferring to the University of Georgia in Athens, where he graduated in 1953. Although he received a degree in chemistry, Warren had more hours in history than in his major, presaging his lifelong love for history. He returned to the Midwest to attend the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago and earned his doctorate of medicine in 1957. While in medical school, he married Elvira Pessina of Jacksonville on March 27, 1954. They had four children, Dan, Kris, Jim and Amy.
After completing his residency in internal medicine at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, he joined the United States Army stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he served as a medical officer.
Fulfilling his lifelong dream to become a general practitioner in a rural area, he joined Dr. Thomas Bunting in his practice in Pittsfield on Oct. 27, 1961. They practiced together until Dr. Bunting's retirement. Dr. Barrow continued to practice medicine in Pittsfield, most recently with Dr. Ron Johnson and Quincy Medical Group.
For 50 years, Dr. Barrow provided superb and compassionate care to his community. His generation of physicians is a vanishing breed. He was not only a general practitioner, but the cardiologist, gynecologist, obstetrician, emergency room physician, urologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist and psychiatrist for his patients. Throughout most of his career he was on call every other night to manage all levels of routine, urgent and emergency medical services, including house calls, delivering babies and covering the emergency room at Illini Community Hospital.
Dr. Barrow's Labor Day weekend dove hunt was one of his most cherished times of the year. In addition to the hunt, he loved telling his wonderful stories to the family and friends that participated. He enjoyed several generations of hunting dogs who were loyal companions throughout his life. Fishing, reading, traveling extensively with his wife and children, along with reruns of old Western movies were some of his favorite pastimes. No one could tell a joke like Doc!
Due to failing vision from macular degeneration, Dr. Barrow retired from the practice of medicine on Oct. 27, 2011, 50 years to the day that he began his medical career with Dr. Bunting. He died peacefully in his home in Pittsfield on June 20, 2013, attended by his wife, Vera.
In addition to his wife of 59 years, Elvira, Dr. Barrow is survived by his sons, Dan (Mollie) and Jim (Jennifer); his daughter, Amy (Mack); eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, Alex and Jill Barrow, Emily, Jack and Tom Barrow and Brock (Kathleen) and Emma Halbrook; three great-grandchildren, Lennon Barrow and Shay and Emilie Halbrook; a nephew, David Barrow; and a great-niece, Toni Badali.
Dr. Barrow was preceded in death by his younger brother, Jack Barrow; his niece, Kim Barrow Badali (surviving husband, Bob); and his daughter, Kristine Barrow Tarpoff (surviving husband, Craig).
SERVICES: Dr. Barrow's family will observe his life, accomplishments and memories in a celebration of that life from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield.
MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, Blessing Hospice of Pike County, Pittsfield Volunteer Fire Department or the organization of your choice.
ARRANGEMENTS: Niebur Funeral Home.
WEBSITE: www.nieburfh.com.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.