Dr. Robert Edward “Bob” Barnhart

Dr. Robert Edward (Bob) Barnhart, 91, of Braselton, died Monday after a short illness. 

A celebration of life will be scheduled for 2021, when it is safer to gather. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 18, at Memorial Park-Main Funeral Home in Gainesville. Due to Covid-19, the family requests that everyone attending the service wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Born August 14, 1929, in Jefferson County, Alabama, he was the son of Edward Young Barnhart and Thelma Iris Barnhart of Birmingham. He was preceded in death by his younger sister, Betty Zoe.

He graduated from college and veterinary school at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, which is now Auburn University, where he earned a degree in veterinary medicine.  After that, he served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army in White Sands Proving Grounds (now White Sands National Park), New Mexico. He ran a small-animal veterinary practice for a few years after his military service, then spent most of his career specializing in poultry pathology. He retired from the Georgia Poultry Laboratory when it was in Oakwood, Ga. 

Bob enjoyed SEC football — he rooted for Auburn and Georgia — and fishing and talking about either one. He had a lifelong interest in “critters” and kept aquariums for many years.

In retirement, he and his wife, Sara, a former teacher, spent time with their grandchildren, enjoyed restaurants and travel. For as long as their health permitted, they were active members of Christ Place Church (formerly Blackshear Place Baptist Church).

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Bob (Cheryl) Barnhart of Sarasota, Fla., Andy (Belinda Lea) Barnhart of Cary, N.C.; daughters Beverly (Brian) O’Shea of Woodstock, Ga., and Marcia (Rusty) Harris of Yulee, Fla.; and stepsons Blake (Connie) Stiles of Fort Worth, Texas; Bryan (Carrie) Stiles of Gainesville, Ga., and Brett Stiles of Oakwood, Ga.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to:

Helping Hands Foreign Missions, 5043 Bristol Industrial Way, Buford, GA. 30518

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com