In Memoriam

In Memoriam | The Hays Free Press

In Memoriam

Posted by Kim Hilsenbeck on Jan 19th, 2013 and filed under Bob Barton, Featured, For Front Page Use, Top Stories.

In Memoriam

Robert C. Barton
April 5, 1930 – January 19, 2013

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donn brooks

We have lost the model for most of the decent things in the world. For me he was a father, a brother a friend, a mentor and an antagonist. We will be telling Barton stories for years. He did it his way with enormous loyalty and compassion.

Donn Brooks
Jon Leonard

Amazing guy. If he didn’t know it, it probably wasn’t worth knowing. And if he did know it, he’d happily share what he knew and help you in any way he could. So glad I had the chance to get to know him. Godspeed, Bob. And thank you..
jwigginsburns

A very sad day for Hays County. When Bob was around, there was no need for a computer. He had all the data from the most recent election (and many previous elections) in his head, and could tell you what you needed to know about who voted, who hadn’t, and what to expect in any given precinct in the county. A wonderful, compassionate, stubborn, articulate man and a great friend who is already missed.
T.D. Cox

Many times in my life, he was like a father to me – and sometimes even more than that! He was one of my Dad’s best friends and I was lucky to meet Bob (and the entire Barton family) when I was 11 years old – some 40 years ago! He invited me into his home many times to live (as a teenager and as an adult) and I never have known such a kind, generous and thoughtful man – and I have lived all over the United States, in Europe and now reside in Japan. There is no one else in the entire world like Robert Clark Barton, Jr. I got to meet his dad, his mom, his sister, grow up with his boys and grow close to his wonderful wife of some 60 years, as well. Having known Bob (and his family) is one of the best things that has happened to me. He will always be with me – for he will always be in my heart! Thank you, Bob….thank you so much…for everything!
Charles Soechting

Bob was one of a kind. He was a product of the time he grew up in but, unlike so many, he never stopped growing. It could be that he was just raised that way. It could be that the unique relationship that he had with his family kept him always caring about others or it could just be that he really saw life as it was and cared deeply. I am proud to have had Bob and his family as friends for nearly a lifetime. Yes, Bob was progressive and why shouldn’t everyone be progressive? Charles Soechting, Past Texas Democratic Chair, Hays County Democratic Chair and Friend of Bob Barton
Jason Gordon

Here’s hoping heaven’s full of Democrats and they have one heck of a Fantasy Baseball League up there. I cherished every single minute I worked for and with Bob, the conversations we had about sports and in particular baseball, and anything else that was on our minds. I loved his stories about when he and Tutta used to party with Ann Richards and the Good Old Days of Texas Politics. Condolences to the Barton family. RIP Bob, one of the best men I’ve ever known, you definitely got every single ounce of life out of your incredible 82 years!
Jeff Franks

I had the privilege of working for bob at the hays county citizen many moons ago and it remains one of the great experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. bob was what every news person should be — smart, fearless and open-minded — and the result was a terrific paper that, in its time, made hays county a better place. he was also a great character, an eccentric, original thinker who said what he thought and encouraged others to do the same. bob’s influence went well beyond the citizen, of course — he was just generally a force for good, which makes his loss a big one. for those of us who knew him, an era has passed. for those of you who didn’t, rest assured that there will never another like bob barton, and we are the poorer for it. que en paz descanse, bob
Kay Moore

To know Bob was to love him, and he was hero to many of us.

Sure, he could frustrate as well as inspire. But he could so inspire, or maybe just as important, he drew you in, made you feel a part, as well as wanting to be a part of the dream/design.

He did not give up, rarely gave in, and he believed in the possible. He could forget the present, or his glasses or clipboard in a heartbeat sometimes; but not the goal, not the ideal, nor the facts or reality.

But he could visualize. He could get us all to visualize, and hope.
And love.

That is a legacy that we all could wish for, and we will all cherish
and miss to our core.

He was my friend, my boss, my mentor, and my hero. And the husband, father, and grandfather of the best of friends and family.

You will be so missed, and so well remembered and loved.

Gracias por tu vida,

Kay
Kim H

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