Dr. Robert Fredrick Barnes PhD MD

Robert was born in Pittsburgh to Dr. Russell Barnes and his wife, Bertha Barnes. He spent his early childhood in Tyrone, where he met Virginia Miller, who would eventually become his wife more than 20 years later. At age 8, his family moved to Mansfield, Ohio, where he later graduated from Mansfield High School in 1955.

Robert attended Oberlin College from 1955-57 and transferred to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a BS degree in 1960. In 1967, he earned his PhD in solid-state physics with a minor in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he was also a teaching and research assistant. Upon completing his PhD, he began employment as a physicist at EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co. in the Plastics Department in Wilmington, Del., from 1967-71. After those four years, Robert decided to change occupations and attended Hahnemann Medical College. He was awarded his MD in 1976 after a residency in internal medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital from 1976-79. During Robert’s education, he was honored by the Society of Sigma Xi at MIT in 1960, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellow from 1960-61 and received the Clinical Teacher of the Year Award in 1980-81 in the Allegheny Family Physicians Residency Program.

As a practicing internist, he worked for SKF Industries from 1980-2003; Beers, Egan & Barnes from 1979-83; and Blair Medical Associates from 1983-98. He was affiliated with The Altoona Hospital Center for Medicine, serving on numerous hospital committees. He was also employed as the Medical Director of Quality Affairs for the Altoona Hospital from 1998 to 2003. His fascination with computer science, experience with DuPont Fortran and research in the DuPont Plastics Department wove symbiotically into his internist and hospital administrator roles. These diverse skills allowed him to improve the mechanics and efficiencies of the local medical industry.

Robert was respected by his peers and co-workers and loved dearly by his patients, particularly his geriatric ones. He was committed to delivering excellent care to all his patients. Although his practice was generally closed to new patients, a phone call to his wife, Virginia, often wiggled another patient onto his schedule.

Robert was known to many for his integrity, steadfast character and ability to explain scientific phenomena in great detail. He held an unwavering commitment to his wife and the support of his family. Annual summer trips to the beach with the Lees Family and his children (and later his five grandchildren) over 50 years were a greatly anticipated pilgrimage that created loving, joyful, fun-filled memories. Upon retirement, he and Virginia spent their 70s traveling the world with lifelong friends, Joe and Nancy Lees. He loved reading books about science, efficient business organization and computers. Books were often a favored gift to those he cared for, and the titles were chosen carefully to provide wisdom and guidance for the recipient. Robert also enjoyed playing chess, researching family genealogy, puttering on his computer and spending time with his devoted and energetic labradoodle, Cocoa.

Robert is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 60 years, Virginia (Miller) Barnes; his son, David Barnes; and David’s children, Shannon and Shane. He is also survived by his daughter, Catherine Neligan, her husband, Patrick Neligan Jr., and their children, Miranda, Matthew and Henry. He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Long; and brother-in-law (and dear, treasured friend), Dr. William Miller PhD, and his wife, Mellissa Miller.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Russell Barnes, MD; his mother, Bertha Barnes; his brother, Dr. Russell Barnes PhD; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Barnes; and his brother-in-law, Dr. David Long PhD.

The immediate family will conduct a private service and burial following the wishes of the deceased.

The family would like to thank the staff on the sixth floor at the Altoona Hospital and Homewood at Martinsburg for their excellent care and compassion during Robert’s final days.

Arrangements are by The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona.

In recognition of Dr. Barnes’s nephew, a donation can be made to The Fred B. Miller Scholarship Fund, c/o Reliance Bank, 916 Pennsylvania Ave., Tyrone, PA 16686, to recognize student athletes from both Tyrone Area and Bellwood-Antis Schools. 

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.