Obituary of Robert C. Barr

Robert C. Barr Newton Funeral services for Robert C. Barr, 59, will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the First Christian Church in Newton. Those wishing to honor Bob may meet at the church at 3 p.m. Thursday, to go to Our Silent City Cemetery in Kellogg for the committal service. Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held from 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the First Christian Church, until 7:30 p.m. Robert C. Barr, the first child of Chester Grant and Minnie Irene (Morrison) Barr, was born August 3, 1949, in Newton, Iowa. He was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1967. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames, graduating in 1971, earning an M.B.A. from Drake University in 1982. In May of 1970, Bob was united in marriage with Janet Dettmann. To this marriage were born two children, Scott Robert and Lisa Anne. Robert was employed by the Vernon Company in Newton for almost 37 years, as an accountant, recently taking a medical disability leave. Bob was united in marriage with Carolyn Cook in June 1990. Their son is "Ray" Allen Cook Barr. He was a member of the St. Luke United Methodist Church, where his faith continued to grow daily, teaching an adult Sunday School class for many years, up until the past two weeks. Bob had devoted his life to his family, and enjoyed the outdoors, reading, ISU athletics, and gardening. He also enjoyed getting up early Wednesday mornings to attend his men's church fellowship group. Bob actively participated and contributed to the growth and mission of the Christian faith for his church. Bob's spirit left his body Monday morning, March 9, 2009, in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. He was preceded in death by his father Chester in 1989 and his mother Irene in 1990. Those left to honor Bob's memory include his wife Carolyn Cook of Newton; his sons: Scott Barr of Waukee, Iowa, and Ray Allen Cook Barr of Newton; his daughter Lisa (Sean) Aldrich of Newton; grandsons: Jacob Aldrich and Peyton Barr; a brother David (Rhonda) Barr of Kellogg; two sisters: Marcene (Gordon) Johnson of Newton, and Elaine (Robert) Bartel of Park View, Iowa; his parents-in-law: Arnold and Mary Cook of Clarion, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and numerous good neighbors and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's name are being requested toward Jasper County Hospice, St. Luke United Methodist Church, or Newton Public Library.