Bob Barry was a study in excellence and intelligence rolled up in a love of family, friends, and nature. He died quietly in his sleep at the age of 81 on March 27, 2026.

Bob was a dearly loved husband. His 58-year marriage to his wife Anne showed those around him what a real working marriage looks like. He would tell people, "You can love even when you don't always agree, you can have different interests and still share life as a couple, and you keep showing up." He would also say "Pray for me, I married an Irish woman." The only long period that they didn't live together after they got married was during his service as a Marine Corps officer during the Vietnam war when he was responsible for a small helicopter refueling base.

Bob was a real partner with Anne in raising their two children, Kris and Ron. He was determined to pass on a love of learning and discovery of all kinds. He wasn't a gushing emotional father, so a word of praise held a lot of weight because he didn't speak to them too frequently. As Dad, he set an example of what it means to be a good person. He taught his kids to do everything to their best ability, to have a sense of fun and humor, to be honest and keep your word, and to care for your neighbor.

Bob was an introvert. He was very private, didn't like crowds, and didn't share easily about his feelings or opinions. He didn't make friends easily but, when he did, he was all in. He was there with manual labor, a place to stay, ideas, or just loyalty if that was what a friend needed. He shoveled a neighbor's driveway when she broke her hip, and there are multiple storage shelving units that will likely survive a massive earthquake because of Bob. When he shared his thoughts, it made an impression because it was well thought out, respectfully presented, and invited the listener into his point of view. But beware, his sense of humor was so dry and sarcastic that it would catch you by surprise and make you laugh at the intelligence behind it. The very next moment, you would be groaning and shaking your head at the pun he had used to follow it up.

Bob was at one with nature. His parents, Charles and Carslie, and his older sister, Joyce took him for his first hike in a rucksack at 4 months old. They camped and hiked all over Colorado and New Mexico during his childhood. Bob joined Boy Scouts moving through the ranks and culminating in Eagle Scout status. He taught first his wife, then his kids, and then his 3 grandchildren (Meg Moor, Rob Moor, and Parker Barry) how to hike, fish, camp, river raft, and sail. He loved drinking scotch around a campfire and singing sea shanties as he pulled on the oars of his raft. He always had a pair of binoculars handy. His love of birds has been passed down from generation to generation. He and his sister learned about birds from their parents, and he continued in his mastery of all things birding to his last days on walks along the Anacortes waterfront and in the Anacortes Forest Lands.

Dogs were also a continuing part of the fabric of Bob's life. Rusty, Kahlua, Jasmine, Abel and Mac were hiking companions, drinking buddies, and friends. While the dogs were never allowed on the furniture, Bob would spend hours sitting on the floor petting soft ears and tummies. He believed that "dogs are people too."

Bob's advocacy for nature was personified in his work life. As a resource planner for the Bureau of Land Management and State of Montana, he created management plans for river and forest ecosystems. His plan to manage river usage for Desolation/ Gray Canyon section of the Green River is still largely in use, much as he wrote it in 1979, to this day. Even in retirement, Bob championed groups that fought the effects of climate change. He believed strongly

that science-based solutions were necessary for the long-term survival of the natural spaces he loved. And he was a generous donor to Western Resource Advocates, the Grand Canyon Trust, and other conservation organizations.

Bob was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. We are honored to have shared his life, and we will continue his legacy.

If you would like to give a gift in memory of Bob, please give to a nature conservation group of your choice or to the The Grand Canyon Trust or to the Western Resource Advocates

A Celebration of Life is being planned to take place on June 27th, starting at 10:00 at the Anacortes Lutheran Church.