Bobby James Barnhart

Bobby Barnhart Sr., 78, passed away peacefully at his Jester Estates home on Saturday, October 15. He was the son of the late Bob and Sadie Barnhart, was born in Hondo and grew up on East First Street in Austin. Bobby was completely and totally devoted to his family sacrificing all for their health and welfare. Bobby is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Cindy Barnhart, his two sons, Bobby Jr. and Thomas, his daughter Marie and husband Michael Hudson, grandchildren Jeffrey Hightower Jr., Caitlin Barnhart, step-grandchildren Lauryn and Meredyth Hudson, sister Norma Honeycutt and husband Joel Honeycutt of Johnson City, sister-in-law Dorothy Albright, his cousin Earl Kanetzky, his cousin Tina Kanetzky and many other valued family and friends. After graduating Austin High School at age 16, Bobby served in the US Navy at the end of World War II and in Korea. He rose to the rank of LT Commander and retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1987. He returned from the Navy to attend the University of Texas and Brown University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from UT Austin. He was a registered professional engineer and founder, together with his wife Cindy, of Barnhart Plumbing and Heating Company, Barnhart Manufacturing and Supply Company, and the Cinbar Corporation. His real estate holdings included two dearly prized ranches in the Hill Country of Blanco, and he made his second home at the Blanco Ranch. For many years he raised livestock and a select heard of Longhorn cattle, and he was an active member of the Southwestern Cattle Raisers and Longhorn Cattle Associations; one of his former longhorn steers later became one of the incarnations of Bevo at the University of Texas. Bobby was active in numerous service and social organizations, including the Society of Professional Engineers, ASHRAE, VFW, Confederate Air Force, Elks, Shriners, Masons and Royal Order of Jesters (to which organization he was especially devoted). He was a member of the Austin and Headliners Clubs in Austin and a long-time participant at the “Old Fitz Table” at the Headliners. One of his most memorable events was the presentation of his Longhorn steer to Headliners honoree Sam Donaldson and personally delivering the steer to Donaldson’s ranch in New Mexico. Another love was the University of Texas, where Bobby was a life-time member of the UT Ex Students Association and various athletic support groups. Truly a self-made man, Bobby, with the aid and support of Cindy, rose from an apprentice plumber to own his own air conditioning, roofing and insulation supply companies. Although he left those businesses behind in the late 70s, he never truly retired and continued to be involved in many and varied business activities, including owning and directing a successful art gallery featuring primarily the works of American illustrator W. H. D. Koerner. (1878-1938). The family wishes to thank the care-givers for their attention and support during his infirmity and especially to Hospice Austin for his end-of-life care. A memorial celebration will be held at the Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 20th. Burial will follow at Capital Parks Cemetery in North Austin. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com