Robert Barton Memorial

Robert (Bob) Barton

Read my memory of Bob (Grandpa) and share your own favorite memories and stories.

I didn’t know him when he was this age, but I do think the photo captures his spirit. Robert (Bob) Barton loved life and found the joy in everything. He was inquisitive and liked to share what he knew; he always had a story. He always had a strong network of good friends and a loving family. His own family grew to include his wife Beverly (Bev), four children, nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren by the time he died. He enjoyed practical jokes and teasing his grandchildren, sometimes earning a lovingly disapproving “Oh, Bob…” from Bev. Bob studied journalism in college and started working in advertising before moving on to hospital development. He continued to serve on a hospital board for the rest of his life. Unlike many people, he always loved hospitals and doctors. He loved to sing—particularly musicals, which he and Bev would often sing. He had been in a fraternity in college at San Jose State University, which was known for its singing, and serenaded Bev with his fraternity brothers to propose. When WWII erupted during his college studies, he was unable to join due to his heart condition. He tried to join the coast guard instead, but ultimately stayed in college while many of his friends went off to war. Bob was handy and very capable with carpentry, building his young family’s home in the hills of San Jose…without the aid of power tools. Bob loved food (though not cucumbers or potatoes) and preferred to never miss a meal, or dessert.

Do you have a favorite memory of Bob? Please share in the comments.