Robert G. Barnett, 76

Robert G. Barnett, 76 of Windsor Locks, CT, died on October 15, 2019.

Born on April 3, 1943, in Ellwood City, he was the son of the late John M. Barnett and Mildred V. (Hall) Barnett. He was also predeceased in death by a sister, Judith A. Barnett.

Never married, Bob is survived by his sister, Andrea L. Wilson (Rick) of Franklin, PA, his nieces, Shelley A. Carson (Kevin) of West DesMoines, IA and Monica S. Cross (Joe) of DesMoines, IA, thirteen great nephews and nieces and one great-great nephew and one great-great niece.

Spending his childhood in Ellwood City, Bob attended Hartman School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1961. After spending one year at Geneva College, he transferred to Penn State where he received a BS in Aerospace Engineering in 1966. Upon graduation, Bob was employed as a Design Engineer by the Hamilton Standard Division of the United Aircraft and moved to Windsor Locks, CT. He spent his entire professional career employed by that corporation in their Hamilton Standard and Pratt & Whitney facilities. Products he worked on include propellers, jet engines, rocket thrusters for satellites and life support systems for submarines, manned spacecraft and spacesuits. After formal retirement in 2012, he continued working part time until fully retiring in 2014.

An avid pilot, Bob was seriously injured in 1971, when he crashed his Luscombe 8E in DuBois, PA. This weather-involved accident prompted him to pursue his instrument rating which he received in 1981. He then purchased a Mooney M20F which he kept at Bradley Intl. Airport from 1982 until 2015. He regularly enjoyed flights throughout the lower 48 states.

Bob’s passion was whitewater kayaking. He raced slalom and downriver in the 1970’s. And through the 1970’s and 1980’s he regularly traveled throughout the United States and Canada to run whitewater rivers including a trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1978. But his most pleasant times were Wednesday afternoons when he joined his friends at the nearby Tariffville Gorge of the Farmington River.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for calling hours on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at Marshall Funeral Home, 200 Fountain Ave, Ellwood City, PA 16117. Burial will be held privately at Locust Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.