Robert John Barnard

Robert J. Barnard, 98, of Pleasant View Retirement in Concord, died on April 15, 2024. He was the widower of Patricia A. (Keane) Barnard who died in 2010. At the time of her death, they had been married for 58 years.

Bob was born February 6, 1926, in Bernardsville, New Jersey, the son of Charles H. and Margaret (Bewsher) Barnard. He was a graduate of Bernards High School, Bernardsville, N.J., and Stafford Hall School of Business in Summit, N.J., where he met his wife, Patricia.

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was a Signalman 3/C in the Sixth Naval Beach Battalion that was part of the Fifth Engineer Special Brigade, U.S. Army that went ashore on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart medal and the French Croix de Guerre. He later served in the Pacific Theater, going from New Guinea to Japan.

In June 2017 at Pleasant View Retirement an award ceremony took place. Bob was given the title of Chevalier (knight) in the French Legion of Honor with friends and family in attendance. The presentation was made by the French Consul General of Boston, and Governor Chris Sununu said a few words of kindness.

After their marriage in 1951, Pat and Bob moved to New Hampshire, where Bob was employed by the New Hampshire Insurance Company, Manchester, N.H., for 40 years.

Pat and Bob owned and operated a summer cottage rental business on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in West Alton, N.H., for many years. After retiring from insurance, they traveled back and forth to Scottsdale, Arizona, where they spent the winters enjoying the southwest. Besides traveling, Bob enjoyed landscape painting, boating, reading, crossword puzzles, and watching sports on tv. He had a great love for the sea and all its moods. His family was always his number one priority.

Bob was survived by his children, Susan Irish and her husband, Roland Irish, III, Wendy Carlson, and David Barnard and his wife, Brenda Barnard; his grandchildren, Roland Irish, IV and his wife, Alta Irish, Robert Irish, Jesse Carlson, Hannah Carlson, Sarah Barnard, and Christopher Barnard; great-grandsons, Roland Irish V and Liam Irish; a brother, Richard Barnard of Hackensack, N.J., his sister-in-law, Dorothy Barnard, of Bordentown, N.J., and many nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife, Pat, his brothers, Charles Barnard and Ronald Barnard, his son, Jeffrey Barnard, and his son-in-law, Noel Carlson.

There will be no calling hours or public funeral service. A private burial service with full military honors will be held at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, N.H.

Bob has requested no flowers, but any donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street, Concord, N.H. is in charge of the arrangements.