Robert Barber

Robert Thornton Barber of St George Utah, died suddenly when his life was taken by treatment for Esophageal & Stomach Cancer. He passed at the Intermountain Region Hospital on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife Annie Barber of 36 years, his children: Debbie Barber (Yale Warsaw), Lisa Barber Serchia (Mike Serchia), Danny Barber, Barbra Barber Wine (Mark Wine - deceased), his Grandchildren Phil Serchia (Alyssa), and Steve Serchia. He is also survived by his sister Shirlie Barber Haramia, 89 and her family members. Robert was known by his friends and family as Bob Barber. He was born on June 9, 1930, in Tarzana California to Horace and Roberta Barber. He had two sisters Shirle Haramia (George) and Norma Hahn (Jerry). He was married to his first wife, Phillipa Sherman. He had numerous first cousins, enjoyed fishing and playing checkers with his father. He was a member of the first graduating class of Newhall High School in LA. He joined the Forest Service there afterwards and patrolled the Angeles Forest. Knowing that he may be drafted into the Korean War, he and a friend enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Radio Repair School in North Carolina, and then was stationed outside Paris, France for eighteen months. He returned to LA and went to work for Bendix, where he had a long and progressive career. He continued his education in Electronics and received a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Pacific States University. His career in Sonar Engineering took him around the world to work with Foreign Naval Militaries.

He spent many years in Catania Sicily where he met Annie. They were married right away and traveled together wherever his job took him. They moved back to the LA area where he balanced home, work, travel and family life. His work took him to South Korean, Japan, India, Turkey, Australia, Spain and around the US. He and Annie moved back to Italy around the La Spezia region and then to Porta de Santa Maria in Spain. When they lived in the Ventura County area, they enjoyed their home where he was a gentleman farmer. He loved making wine and growing vegetables and fruit. They had chickens, orange trees, grapes and black berries.

When it came time to retire from Bendix, then Applied Signal after a 45 year career; he and Annie moved to St George Utah. They also had a summer home in Denmark. They would travel to Denmark every summer to escape the heat of St George. There they worked on their summer home where Bob built a garage and fireplace with the help of Annie's family. He really loved the summers in Denmark. Later they sold their home in Denmark and enjoyed their Motor home where they toured the Western US. They spent their summers in Morro Bay Ca. He and Annie were bridge partners with the St George Bridge Club. They enjoyed dinner parties with their good friends. He participated with the homeowners association, liked to bowl and supported Annie's painting hobby. He enjoyed watching sports, especially football and would travel to see the CSU Rams play in Denver and Las Vegas.

Bob will be truly missed by all his friends and family. He was a member of the New Promise Lutheran church where he received his spiritual inspiration. He was a very dear man, rest in peace.

Services will be held at: New Promise Lutheran Church, 244 S. Valley View Drive, St George, Utah 84770 on April 16, 2012 at 11:00AM. Donations can be made in his honor to the church.