Daniel Christopher Barnett

Daniel Christopher Barnett, 25, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, formerly of Columbia, passed away Thursday, September 4th in Lawrenceville, IL. Friends and family may gather at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 West, Columbia, MO, on Saturday, September 13th from 1-2:30pm.

Daniel was born June 8, 2000, in Columbia to Christopher and Yan (Zhou) Barnett. In his youth, he was active in the Cub Scouts and in Boy Scout Troop 707, and enjoyed spending time on his grandparents' farm. He was a 2018 graduate of Rock Bridge High School. Daniel excelled in mathematics, becoming a member of the 2017 US Math Olympiad Program training team. Daniel also participated in robotics competitions as part of the Army Ants FRC 3792 in Columbia, and in 2018 competed against robotics teams from around the world at the FIRST Championship. After graduating high school, he attended MIT and earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and mathematics. He was skilled at solving puzzles and competed in the annual MIT Mystery Hunt.

After college, Daniel worked as a software developer for Einblick in Boston, and then as a patent officer for the US Patent Office. He enjoyed designing and playing board games with his friends at regular game nights and playing video games every week with his sister and siblings-in-law. Most recently, he was accepted into the graduate program at Boston University.

Daniel is survived by his parents, Chris & Yan Barnett of Columbia, a sister, Annie Barnett (Melanie Abrams) of Cambridge, MA, paternal grandparents, Larry (Kathryn) Barnett of Urich, MO, his special Cambridge family (Don, Roberta and Jacob), and his cat, Fez. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Fei Zhou & Lanxiang Sheng.

Daniel will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

The family requests no donations but would be honored by your presence and personal condolences.