Robert Barnes

Dr. Robert F Barnes went to be with the Lord on April 27, 2013. Robert was born in Estherville IA February 6, 1933. He graduated from Estherville Junior College in 1953 and served in the Army as an intelligence specialist while in Germany. He graduated from Iowa State with a B.S. in Agronomy in 1957; from Rutgers University with an MS in Farm Crops in 1959 and from Purdue University with a Ph.D. in Agronomy in 1963. Doctor Barnes was a registered Certified Professional Agronomist, Certified Professional Crop Scientist, Certified Professional Soil Scientist and a Certified Crop adviser. He served as a senior member of the Pennsylvania State University's graduate school and a charter member of the U.S. Senior Executive Service. He served time as the Associate Regional Administrator for the Southern Region of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in New Orleans LA. and retired from the USDA in 1986 when he became the executive vice president of the ASA, CSSA, SSSA and executive director of the Agronomic Science Foundation. At that time he was also an adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin, organized Christ followers' breakfast for ASA and UW-POW Wow for Agronomists as well as the ROMEO's. He authored or coauthored more than 100 scientific publications and coedited the textbooks Forages, The Science of Grassland Agriculture Vol I & II. He was a Congressional Science fellow, and his honors and awards are too numerous to mention.

Bob served at Blackhawk Church as an elder, on the pastoral selection committee, worship committee, Stephen Ministry, tape ministry, senior fellowship, Ambassadors group, Life group, Men's ministry, men's book club, and was a marriage mentor.

Robert is survived by the love of his life, Bettye Jeanne Burrell of Estherville IA to whom he was married 57 years and their four children, Brad Barnes, who lives with Bettye in Madison WI; Rebecca Reinalda, who lives in PA with her husband James and their five children Neal, Owen, Ford, Linc and Hoyt; Roberta Nixon, who lives in IN with her husband Dean and their three children, Drew, Zachariah, and Abagail; and Brian Barnes who resides in Phoenix AZ.

His purpose was to live a life worthy of his calling as a Christ follower, husband, father, grandfather and person. He endeavored to live his life to reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and expect the greater reward from God.

Special thanks to Dr. Dennis Maki, Blackhawk Church Care Ministry, UW Hospital, Life Care Hospitals of Wisconsin and Agrace Hospice Care as well as all the people who have prayed and supported him over the years.

Services will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, May 3, 2013 at Blackhawk Church 9620 Brader Way, Middleton WI with Pastor Chris Dolsen presiding. Robert will be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison. A visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Cress Center 6021 University Ave. Madison, and at 9:30AM until time of the service Friday at Blackhawk.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Robert F Barnes Graduate Education Award fund (Agronomic Science Foundation 5585 Guilford Rd, Madison WI 53711) or Blackhawk Church, or a charity of your choice.