Robert Orin "Bob" Barber Obituary (1930 - 2017)

Robert O. Barber, age 87, of Corning NY passed away on Saturday November 11, 2017 at Guthrie Corning Hospital. Robert (Bob) was born in Whitehall, NY on January 16, 1930, to Rufus and Manita (Irish) Barber. Bob served in the US Army assigned to the 82nd Airborne division as paratrooper and was honorably discharged in January of 1953. Following his years of service, he pursued an Electrical Engineering degree at Alfred Tech where he met his love, Margaret Westgate, to whom he was married 61 years. After college he took a job at Ingersoll Rand in Painted Post, NY where he was a control systems engineer. His work took him to Canada and many different countries in Europe, Asia, and Middle East. Growing up in the depression, Bob was an ardent do-it-yourselfer. He did all the interior work to complete the home they built in 1962 all while working a fulltime job. Later he built a log cabin on Lake Underwood that the family continues to enjoy. After retirement, Bob and Margaret spent time travelling to National Parks which they enjoyed very much. Bob was a history and genealogy buff. He read many history and political books, particularly books on the history of the wars. He also enjoyed golfing and Alpine Skiing. He supported his children in various academic and athletic pursuits. He served as the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 36 in South Corning. Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret; two daughters, Colleen (Jeff) Robinson of Williston, VT and Brenda (Robert) Hayosh of Austin, TX; son, Bruce (Mary Ellen) Barber of Lansing, NY; grandchildren, Andrew and Joshua Barber, Kara and Eric Robinson, Sydney, Samantha, and Preston Hayosh; several nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his brothers Stanley, Earl, and Wallace and by his sister Ruth Broe. Calling hours will be on Thursday, November 16th from 10 AM until 12 Noon at Haughey Funeral Home, Inc., 216 E. First Street in Corning, where funeral services will follow at Noon. Memorial donations may be made to Southeast Steuben County Library, 300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza #101, Corning, NY 14830, www.ssclibrary.org. Bob's family entrusted his care to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc. >>(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line)