Obituary of Robert C. Barlow

Robert (Bob) Clayton Barlow died suddenly on April 10th at the age of 89.

Born in Buffalo on March 11, 1937, to Margaret (Rita) and Clayton, most of Bob’s early memories were of playing with his big brother, Bill, and collecting scrap metal and paper to help the war effort, and then making the big move to Fontana, California.

His faith guided him throughout his entire life, starting at an early age with the sudden loss of his father. That loss forever changed Bob and rewrote his future life’s path. Returning to Buffalo, the three of them found comfort in their family, friends, and faith. Bob leaned heavily on his Grandfather and Uncle Wes in these difficult years.

After graduating from high school, Bob enlisted in the Army. Following basic training, he shipped off to Germany as a Cryptanalyst/Code Breaker during the height of the Cold War. Upon completing his military service, Bob returned home to Buffalo and worked at Bethlehem Steel.

He met Jane, his wife, on a blind date set up by his brother in January 1959, and their 63 years of marriage that followed were the measure of the man. He was devoted to her in the way that left no room for doubt. Jane was the center of his universe. Together, they built a family, adding Mary Beth, Lisa, and Jon shortly after marrying on July 28, 1962, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Eden. As their tiny family grew, so did their careers. Jane, a kindergarten teacher, and Bob obtained his Associate's degree from Erie Community College and built his career at the Bell Telephone Company/Verizon. His career took him to Syracuse, where they lived for the next 27 years. In Syracuse, Bob’s faith continued to flourish at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Liverpool, where he was Church Council President, led the Building Committee to build a new church, and was a founding player on the softball team. 

In retirement, Bob never slowed. He ran a fishing charter boat on Lake Ontario for ten years, and then, with Jane’s retirement, they moved back to Hamburg and also found a cottage on Chautauqua Lake, living right down the road from Carl and Carmille, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Between summers with family and friends on the lake and driving cars for the auction in Buffalo, Bob lived every minute of his retirement years with Jane. 

Bob had his opinions, and he didn't soften them. Right was right and wrong was wrong, and he saw little reason to pretend otherwise. That said, his moral compass was fixed and calibrated toward the friends and family he loved and the responsibilities he willingly chose to take on.

It can’t be left unsaid, but Bob loved his toys. Cars, boats, computers, whatever the current gadget or machine that could hold his attention, he pursued with real enthusiasm. Those who spent even the shortest time with him knew to expect a running commentary on whatever car or piece of tech had currently piqued his interest at the time.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; his children: Mary Beth (Douglas), Lisa, and Jon (Laurissa), and his six grandchildren: Catherine, Caroline, Douglas, Lily, Eva, and Mia.

Bob’s legacy isn't complicated: he always showed up for his family, he was a constant in the lives that mattered most to him, and he loved his family thoroughly for a very long time. That turned out to be enough to create a meaningful and fulfilled life.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, April 16, from 4-8 pm at Laing Funeral Home located at 2724 West Church Street, Eden, NY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, April 17, at 11 AM in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 3487 North Boston Rd, Eden, NY. Interment will follow in the Eden Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Words of sympathy made be left on www.LaingFuneralHome.com

The family would like to invite those who can't be with them in person to join them virtually as they  celebrate Bob's life on Friday, April 17, at 11 am: https://www.facebook.com/groups/659773424780452