Robert C. "Barney" Barnd

Robert C. “Barney” Barnd peacefully went home to be with the Lord in Loveland, Colorado on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Barney was born in Manchester, Iowa on August 29, 1921 to James H. and Pauline (Oliver) Barnd. He met the love of his life Dorothy “Dottie” Dobson and they were married an amazing 68 years. She preceded him in death in 2011.Barney served in WWII in the Army 589th Battalion in the European theatre.  He returned home in 1946 as a Captain. He started his business career in Eaton, Ohio where he purchased a machine shop which became part of the Parker Hannifin Corporation. Barney’s career continued with Parker for 39 years until he retired as President of International Operations. He served as General Manager in Eaton, and Otsego, Michigan. Barnd wrote “The Parker Story,” in which he tells his own history with Parker and the City of Eaton. “My career in manufacturing began when our families joined together with financial help, allowing us to buy 40 percent of Eaton Screw Products from the estate of its founder Horace Justice. Two years later, we accepted an offer from our customer Parker Appliance Company to buy the company and I remained as manager for the next 12 years. This was the beginning of my 39 year carrier in business with Parker and a life of incredible opportunity and reward,” he wrote. “Eaton was good to us. I joined the Rotary Club, was elected to the city council, was the ladder captain on the volunteer fire department and started the Eaton Chamber of Commerce. How did we get into the manufacturing business? In December of 1948 Horace Justice, the owner of a 15-man, war baby, manufacturing plant had a federal tax problem which he spent a day resolving, went home, had dinner, sat down to read the paper, and died. “The government ignored the agreement they made with him that day and put together a plan of foreclosing and/or liquidating the company to get their tax money or sell it as a going business. To make this a short story, two other business men, Ed Steffen, Karl Brouse and I met with Mr. Justice’s attorney, Thurston Biddle, and the right people, and bought the company at a price that exceeded the individual bids that would have closed the business down. “Two years later, Bob Cornell, the Vice-President of the Parker Appliance Company, called me on the phone and said he was in the area and had heard good things about our company and wanted to come down and see the facility. My experience in the Army and the automobile industry taught me, ‘If you have someone who wants to talk, listen,’ I listened. At the end of the day, we had a new customer and at the end of six months Parker made us an offer to own our company we couldn’t refuse, and the rest of it is history.” He attended Harvard’s 43rd Advanced Business Management Program in 1963. Barney continued his career path to Cleveland, as Group Vice President, London England as President of European Operations and in 1978 returned to Cleveland as President of International Operations, Vice President of Parker Hannifin. He wrote, “I had many loyal associates who supported me in my strengths and weaknesses. It was the most successful and enjoyable 40 years of my business and military career. Thanks to those who helped me along the way. I wish you Gods Speed in your daily efforts as you contribute to Parker’s continued growth in the World.”

Barney served as councilman in Eaton, OH, started the Eaton Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Eaton Volunteer Fire Department. He became a member of the Eaton Rotary Club in 1948 and served as President in 1958-1959. He also served as President of the East Fresno Rotary Club and received the prestigious “Service Above Self Award” in 1999. He continued in Rotary International in Loveland, Colorado living the “Four Way Test”.

In retirement Barney participated in many organizations; SIRS (Sons In Retirement), SCORE International, Fresno City Planning Committee, Center for Abused Women and Children and Fresno Philharmonic. Proud veterans Barney and Virgil Horton welcomed hundreds of veterans to a breakfast table on Saturdays through PAMVETS.

Automobiles were a passion in his life beginning after military service selling and servicing Packards and Studebakers. He collected classic automobiles and became the chairman of The Greater Valley Concours d’Elegance in Fresno for 16 years featuring nationwide museum quality automobiles.

Surviving are daughter Judith A.(Stephen) Doty, of Loveland, CO; sons David J. (Linda) Barnd of San Antonio, TX; Michael V. (Mary) Barnd of Bloomfield Hills, MI; six treasured grandchildren Stephen Branch, Jeffrey Branch, Kevin Barnd, Meliisa Orosco, David Barnd and Maria Barnd and six great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM Friday October 5, 2018 at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, Ohio.In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the Loveland Rotary Kids Pak % Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home 1102 Lincoln Avenue Loveland, CO 80537. Ohio arrangements are entrusted to Barnes Funeral Home – 220 East Main Street Eaton, Ohio. Condolences via www.barnesfuneralhome.com