Robert "Bob" Charles Barnickel

Services will be held to celebrate the life of Robert “Bob” Charles Barnickel at 11:00am on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel. Officiating will be Father Peter Mangum. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends for a visitation and rosary service on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the funeral home, and from 10:00am until 11:00am before the funeral service.

Bob was the baby of three boys born on January 17, 1964, at Earnest Harmon AFB in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada to Richard and Margaret Barnickel of Pittsburgh, PA area. He had dual citizenship until age 21, but he chose to keep only his American citizenship. Once his father retired from the Air Force, he grew up in South Bossier playing baseball and basketball. He attended Parkway High School; where he excelled in basketball, and made lifelong friends he considered brothers, including his mentor Coach Jack Thigpen.

Upon graduation from Parkway in ’82, he went to Bossier Parish Community College where he played on their first basketball team under Coach Mike McConathy, his second mentor in life. He played two years for BPCC and solidified his other set of lifelong friends, brothers in ball.

Since his parents were from the Pittsburgh area, Bob was a die-hard Steelers and Pirates fan. He also liked University of Pittsburgh and Penn State college football teams; both of which won their season opener games the night before he passed away. One of our most favorite trips was to Penn State to watch a game in Happy Valley. His passion during the game was intense at times, but always fun to be part of. Bob loved to cook for his family and friends, especially mac-n-cheese, rotel dip, and loaded potatoes. Listening to music was another love of his, and he knew so much about the artists it was incredible.

Bob worked as a “Tire Guy” for two main companies in town for most of his career, South Gateway Tire and Area Wholesale Tire. He worked his way up at both companies and ended as the Store Manager of Area Wholesale Tire before his last back surgery, which caused him to become medically disabled. He developed numerous friendships through his work and was great at his job because of how well he knew his products.

As for his family, he had one son, Matthew, from a previous marriage and was married for 24 ½ years to Michelle Villemarette Barnickel. We spent time watching football games, going to concerts, going to movies, and spending time with family and friends as much as possible. Bob was godfather to his nephew Collin Grimes, and nieces Corrine Barnickel, Kelsie and Callie Grimes. Uncle Bob loved them so much and enjoyed all the times they came over to visit, climb on him and play with his beard. His other princess was his niece, Aspen Thomas. No matter what she did, her Uncle Bob was so incredibly proud of her and bragged to his friends and coworkers about her talents. He loved his in-laws as his own parents and siblings. The MOST important person in his life was his son, Matthew. He may live in a different state than his dad, but no one would ever know it with as close as they were talking all the time on the phone, sharing their love of music and sports. Once we knew Bob’s time was limited, we were able to arrange Matthew’s wedding to take place in our backyard, which was a perfect day.

Bob passed away peacefully early in the morning on Friday, September 2nd. He went to join his parents Richard and Margaret Barnickel, and his brother Michael, who preceded him in passing. He is survived by his Aunt Jeannine, cousins Gary and Bob McMillian, and other cousins in Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his loving wife, Michelle Barnickel; son, Matthew Barnickel and wife Darzy; brother, Rick Barnickel and wife Mary Lou; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wayne and Linda Villemarette; sisters-in-law, Kimberly Hull and husband Eric and Ashley Grimes and husband Sean; nieces, Corinne Barnickel, Aspen Thomas, Kelsie Grimes and Callie Grimes; nephew, Collin Grimes.

The family would like to thank the numerous friends and family members who have been at our sides non-stop. We would also like to thank the staff at Carpenter House and Colonial Oaks, as well as Dr. Dhawan and his staff for their care during his journey and after.

Pallbearers will be Don Day, David Dempsey, Gary Downey, Wayne Geer, Craig Hood, T.J. Josting, Roger Kisla and Pat Meredith. Honorary pallbearers will be his basketball teammates from BPCC.