He was born into a large rural family on July 19, 1941, in Athens, Ohio, the son of the late William and Alice (Beal) Barnes. He was an industrious and adventurous person from the beginning, building a clubhouse at the age of 10, many tree swings and soapbox cars, and he and a friend built a 6-foot boat out of nothing but inch-wide slats, tar and canvas. Unfortunately, this boat sank immediately when his sister sat on it. His ingenuity remained throughout his life. Robert never stopped doing what he loved despite the hiccups along the way.
He entered the US Navy and traveled the world. He was originally drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War but opted to join the Navy instead. Robert served aboard the USS Yorktown—a massive aircraft carrier. Robert had a goofy personality and that persisted in his time in the Navy. He and his shipmates had many colorful stories to tell upon their discharge.
His working career started at the age of 15 at T & A Saveway and he retired from Food Town in Crestline. Robert met a woman named Carolyn Daley at Park Lanes Bowling Alley. They dated for a year and married. The two shared a love for travel and visited many states in the US throughout their lives.
Robert was a lifelong Christian and lived his life accordingly. He remained very close with his family and made many friends he valued throughout his life. He adored his daughter and granddaughters. Robert’s legacy will be treasured for generations to come.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Barnes; daughter, Christie Patrie; grandchildren, Nicole and Stephanie Patrie; sister, Nancy Mulvane; sister and brother-in-law, June and Phil Raney; brother, Ben and David Barnes; brother-in-law, Joe Seamour; sister-in-law, Donna Dials; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet and Lloyd Anderson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Billie Daley; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cam Seamour; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Onalee Daley; brothers-in-law, Howard Mulvane, Lloyd Davis, and Dan Dials; nephew, Michael Anderson; and niece, Savannah Daley.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday at 10:00 am with Pastor JP Snyder officiating. Robert will be laid to rest in Ontario Cemetery.
