Robert Frederick Barthel, 60, of Niagara Falls, New York, entered into rest peacefully at his home under the loving care of his wife, Beverly, the visiting nurses and Niagara Hospice, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Born in Niagara Falls, February 3, 1949, he was the son of the late Arthur Emil and Ada Johanna [Knuppel] (Bentley)Barthel. He attended local schools including: Trinity Lutheran, 79th Street School, and LaSalle, Jr. He graduated from LaSalle Senior High School in 1967. Bob received an Associate's Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Social Work and Human Services from Medaille College.
Bob's career path was never dull. Initially, he worked in management for several retail companies including Brand Names, Neisner Brothers and Tops, although his true life's work was in the human services field. He had a kind and loving heart and there was not a person in existence that he would not have taken under his wing. He worked as a director of a group home with Transitional Services in Buffalo and as a youth counselor at Father Baker's Home for Children. Bob also spent 11 years in the military. He served with the Army National Guard (New York), with the United States Army Special Forces, Green Beret Unit (Fort Devens, MA and US Army Europe and 7th Army Headquarters, Heidelberg, Germany) and with the 107th Air National Guard Unit (Niagara Falls). He received an honorary discharge for service to his country. More recently Bob worked for DuPont in Niagara Falls and retired after 30 years due to illness.
On August 8, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, Beverly Borgatti, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Niagara Falls. They lived a colorful life together, enjoying friends and music. They traveled throughout Europe with their two young daughters, always looking for secret, out-of-the-way places.
He learned just enough German to experience his assignment in Heidelberg to the fullest. He also worked in the post library and spent much of his time writing letters home, jotting things into his journal and even piecing together the occasional poem. As a basketball coach, he led his team in Heidelberg to victory but was ultimately the most proud of his special column, "We Will Support", which was a regular feature of The Dispatch, a Fort Devens newspaper published for the 10th Special Forces Unit during the Vietnam War.
Bob spent many years as a basketball coach. He loved all sports especially basketball, football, hockey and playing racquetball. He was a fan of the Boston Celtics, the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. He enjoyed attending his grandson, Brendan's, baseball games and even while ill, attended his granddaughter, Caitlyn's, basketball games. While at DuPont he organized special employee Bills game excursions.
Bob was also an environmental and peace activist. Throughout the years he had been a member of Green- peace, the Western New York Peace Center, the Center for Justice, the Niagara Heritage Partnership, Amnesty International, and a founding member of Peace on Earth Movement (POEM) which was formed to protest the proliferation of nuclear weapons and in support of peace measures throughout the world.
Above all things, Bob loved his family. He made everyone laugh, even at difficult times. He was one of the most important people in the world to his grandchildren. He was very involved in their lives and a well-known face at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. He never missed a school play, a kindergarten graduation or an honor's assembly until his illness made it impossible.
Bob is survived by many friends and family who will never forget him, including: his beloved wife, Beverly; daughters, Michelle (Michael) Kratts and Patricia (John) Pileggi both of Niagara Falls, NY, three grandchildren Caitlyn, Jillian and Brendan Kratts and Marisa Pileggi, one sister, Elaine Barthel of Hong Kong, son-in-law of Jean Ann (late Henry J) Borgatti of Lewiston, brother-in-law of Robert (Evelyn) Borgatti of Lewiston, uncle of Christopher Borgatti, great nephew of Phyllis Tecchio of Niagara Falls; and Jasper, his kitten.
Born in Niagara Falls, February 3, 1949, he was the son of the late Arthur Emil and Ada Johanna [Knuppel] (Bentley)Barthel. He attended local schools including: Trinity Lutheran, 79th Street School, and LaSalle, Jr. He graduated from LaSalle Senior High School in 1967. Bob received an Associate's Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Social Work and Human Services from Medaille College.
Bob's career path was never dull. Initially, he worked in management for several retail companies including Brand Names, Neisner Brothers and Tops, although his true life's work was in the human services field. He had a kind and loving heart and there was not a person in existence that he would not have taken under his wing. He worked as a director of a group home with Transitional Services in Buffalo and as a youth counselor at Father Baker's Home for Children. Bob also spent 11 years in the military. He served with the Army National Guard (New York), with the United States Army Special Forces, Green Beret Unit (Fort Devens, MA and US Army Europe and 7th Army Headquarters, Heidelberg, Germany) and with the 107th Air National Guard Unit (Niagara Falls). He received an honorary discharge for service to his country. More recently Bob worked for DuPont in Niagara Falls and retired after 30 years due to illness.
On August 8, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, Beverly Borgatti, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Niagara Falls. They lived a colorful life together, enjoying friends and music. They traveled throughout Europe with their two young daughters, always looking for secret, out-of-the-way places.
He learned just enough German to experience his assignment in Heidelberg to the fullest. He also worked in the post library and spent much of his time writing letters home, jotting things into his journal and even piecing together the occasional poem. As a basketball coach, he led his team in Heidelberg to victory but was ultimately the most proud of his special column, "We Will Support", which was a regular feature of The Dispatch, a Fort Devens newspaper published for the 10th Special Forces Unit during the Vietnam War.
Bob spent many years as a basketball coach. He loved all sports especially basketball, football, hockey and playing racquetball. He was a fan of the Boston Celtics, the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. He enjoyed attending his grandson, Brendan's, baseball games and even while ill, attended his granddaughter, Caitlyn's, basketball games. While at DuPont he organized special employee Bills game excursions.
Bob was also an environmental and peace activist. Throughout the years he had been a member of Green- peace, the Western New York Peace Center, the Center for Justice, the Niagara Heritage Partnership, Amnesty International, and a founding member of Peace on Earth Movement (POEM) which was formed to protest the proliferation of nuclear weapons and in support of peace measures throughout the world.
Above all things, Bob loved his family. He made everyone laugh, even at difficult times. He was one of the most important people in the world to his grandchildren. He was very involved in their lives and a well-known face at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. He never missed a school play, a kindergarten graduation or an honor's assembly until his illness made it impossible.
Bob is survived by many friends and family who will never forget him, including: his beloved wife, Beverly; daughters, Michelle (Michael) Kratts and Patricia (John) Pileggi both of Niagara Falls, NY, three grandchildren Caitlyn, Jillian and Brendan Kratts and Marisa Pileggi, one sister, Elaine Barthel of Hong Kong, son-in-law of Jean Ann (late Henry J) Borgatti of Lewiston, brother-in-law of Robert (Evelyn) Borgatti of Lewiston, uncle of Christopher Borgatti, great nephew of Phyllis Tecchio of Niagara Falls; and Jasper, his kitten.
Robert Frederick Barthel, 60, of Niagara Falls, New York, entered into rest peacefully at his home under the loving care of his wife, Beverly, the visiting nurses and Niagara Hospice, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Born in Niagara Falls, February 3, 1949, he was the son of the late Arthur Emil and Ada Johanna [Knuppel] (Bentley)Barthel. He attended local schools including: Trinity Lutheran, 79th Street School, and LaSalle, Jr. He graduated from LaSalle Senior High School in 1967. Bob received an Associate's Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Social Work and Human Services from Medaille College.
Bob's career path was never dull. Initially, he worked in management for several retail companies including Brand Names, Neisner Brothers and Tops, although his true life's work was in the human services field. He had a kind and loving heart and there was not a person in existence that he would not have taken under his wing. He worked as a director of a group home with Transitional Services in Buffalo and as a youth counselor at Father Baker's Home for Children. Bob also spent 11 years in the military. He served with the Army National Guard (New York), with the United States Army Special Forces, Green Beret Unit (Fort Devens, MA and US Army Europe and 7th Army Headquarters, Heidelberg, Germany) and with the 107th Air National Guard Unit (Niagara Falls). He received an honorary discharge for service to his country. More recently Bob worked for DuPont in Niagara Falls and retired after 30 years due to illness.
On August 8, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, Beverly Borgatti, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Niagara Falls. They lived a colorful life together, enjoying friends and music. They traveled throughout Europe with their two young daughters, always looking for secret, out-of-the-way places.
He learned just enough German to experience his assignment in Heidelberg to the fullest. He also worked in the post library and spent much of his time writing letters home, jotting things into his journal and even piecing together the occasional poem. As a basketball coach, he led his team in Heidelberg to victory but was ultimately the most proud of his special column, "We Will Support", which was a regular feature of The Dispatch, a Fort Devens newspaper published for the 10th Special Forces Unit during the Vietnam War.
Bob spent many years as a basketball coach. He loved all sports especially basketball, football, hockey and playing racquetball. He was a fan of the Boston Celtics, the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. He enjoyed attending his grandson, Brendan's, baseball games and even while ill, attended his granddaughter, Caitlyn's, basketball games. While at DuPont he organized special employee Bills game excursions.
Bob was also an environmental and peace activist. Throughout the years he had been a member of Green- peace, the Western New York Peace Center, the Center for Justice, the Niagara Heritage Partnership, Amnesty International, and a founding member of Peace on Earth Movement (POEM) which was formed to protest the proliferation of nuclear weapons and in support of peace measures throughout the world.
Above all things, Bob loved his family. He made everyone laugh, even at difficult times. He was one of the most important people in the world to his grandchildren. He was very involved in their lives and a well-known face at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. He never missed a school play, a kindergarten graduation or an honor's assembly until his illness made it impossible.
Bob is survived by many friends and family who will never forget him, including: his beloved wife, Beverly; daughters, Michelle (Michael) Kratts and Patricia (John) Pileggi both of Niagara Falls, NY, three grandchildren Caitlyn, Jillian and Brendan Kratts and Marisa Pileggi, one sister, Elaine Barthel of Hong Kong, son-in-law of Jean Ann (late Henry J) Borgatti of Lewiston, brother-in-law of Robert (Evelyn) Borgatti of Lewiston, uncle of Christopher Borgatti, great nephew of Phyllis Tecchio of Niagara Falls; and Jasper, his kitten.
Born in Niagara Falls, February 3, 1949, he was the son of the late Arthur Emil and Ada Johanna [Knuppel] (Bentley)Barthel. He attended local schools including: Trinity Lutheran, 79th Street School, and LaSalle, Jr. He graduated from LaSalle Senior High School in 1967. Bob received an Associate's Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Social Work and Human Services from Medaille College.
Bob's career path was never dull. Initially, he worked in management for several retail companies including Brand Names, Neisner Brothers and Tops, although his true life's work was in the human services field. He had a kind and loving heart and there was not a person in existence that he would not have taken under his wing. He worked as a director of a group home with Transitional Services in Buffalo and as a youth counselor at Father Baker's Home for Children. Bob also spent 11 years in the military. He served with the Army National Guard (New York), with the United States Army Special Forces, Green Beret Unit (Fort Devens, MA and US Army Europe and 7th Army Headquarters, Heidelberg, Germany) and with the 107th Air National Guard Unit (Niagara Falls). He received an honorary discharge for service to his country. More recently Bob worked for DuPont in Niagara Falls and retired after 30 years due to illness.
On August 8, 1970, Bob married the love of his life, Beverly Borgatti, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Niagara Falls. They lived a colorful life together, enjoying friends and music. They traveled throughout Europe with their two young daughters, always looking for secret, out-of-the-way places.
He learned just enough German to experience his assignment in Heidelberg to the fullest. He also worked in the post library and spent much of his time writing letters home, jotting things into his journal and even piecing together the occasional poem. As a basketball coach, he led his team in Heidelberg to victory but was ultimately the most proud of his special column, "We Will Support", which was a regular feature of The Dispatch, a Fort Devens newspaper published for the 10th Special Forces Unit during the Vietnam War.
Bob spent many years as a basketball coach. He loved all sports especially basketball, football, hockey and playing racquetball. He was a fan of the Boston Celtics, the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. He enjoyed attending his grandson, Brendan's, baseball games and even while ill, attended his granddaughter, Caitlyn's, basketball games. While at DuPont he organized special employee Bills game excursions.
Bob was also an environmental and peace activist. Throughout the years he had been a member of Green- peace, the Western New York Peace Center, the Center for Justice, the Niagara Heritage Partnership, Amnesty International, and a founding member of Peace on Earth Movement (POEM) which was formed to protest the proliferation of nuclear weapons and in support of peace measures throughout the world.
Above all things, Bob loved his family. He made everyone laugh, even at difficult times. He was one of the most important people in the world to his grandchildren. He was very involved in their lives and a well-known face at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. He never missed a school play, a kindergarten graduation or an honor's assembly until his illness made it impossible.
Bob is survived by many friends and family who will never forget him, including: his beloved wife, Beverly; daughters, Michelle (Michael) Kratts and Patricia (John) Pileggi both of Niagara Falls, NY, three grandchildren Caitlyn, Jillian and Brendan Kratts and Marisa Pileggi, one sister, Elaine Barthel of Hong Kong, son-in-law of Jean Ann (late Henry J) Borgatti of Lewiston, brother-in-law of Robert (Evelyn) Borgatti of Lewiston, uncle of Christopher Borgatti, great nephew of Phyllis Tecchio of Niagara Falls; and Jasper, his kitten.
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