Robert Paul "Bob" Barnes, 81 of Sioux City, died Friday, March 27, 2015 at his residence in Sioux City.

A memorial service will be held 11:00am Saturday, April 11 at the Central Baptist Church, with Rev. Lloyd Grant officiating. A burial was held on Monday, March 30, 2015 at Graceland Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sergeant Bluff.


Robert Paul (Bob) Barnes entered his eternal life at his home on March 27, 2015. Bob was born on January 16, 1934, at Minot, North Dakota, to Richard Neil and Erna Margaret (Broeckel) Barnes. The family lived in a number of rural communities where his father managed grain elevators. Because the Depression and the Dust Bowl closed many cooperatives, the family relocated to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1939. Bob was a graduate of Lash High School, Zanesville. After high school, he completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Washington, a master’s degree at the University of Colorado, and a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California. All three degrees were in history, with an emphasis on constitutional and legal history. In addition, he also attended Fuller Theological Seminary for a time as well as serving as a chaplain’s assistant in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty overseas.

After completing his education, Bob taught at a number of colleges and universities, including Central Washington University, Western State (Colorado) College, and Purdue University. He was the founding dean of the newly-established College of Arts and Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University in the early 1970’s. Making a career change, he became a pastor in Colorado. He made a subsequent career change into institutional advancement, assisting a number of colleges and nonprofit organizations to acquire funding for capital projects and operations. Bob's career took the family throughout the Midwest, including Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio, California, Wyoming, and Iowa; residing in Sioux City since 1998.

Throughout the years, Bob was active in a number of professional organizations on both the local and national levels. He was conscientious about staying informed on current trends and developments in each of his career fields. Bob enjoyed hiking and camping in the Rockies and the Sierras, was an avid reader of both history and theological works, and enjoyed travel to see family and friends as well as new places. He was always active in the local church of each community where he lived, and was involved in missions and small group ministries as well as teaching Sunday school classes.

Bob is survived by his wife, Pamela (Frantz) Barnes, whom he married in 1976. He is also survived by his daughters Claire Barnes (Dan Howland) of Portland, Oregon, and Elizabeth Barnes of Great Falls, Montana. He was preceded in death by his son Christopher Paul Barnes in 2009, his parents, his older half-brother Lloyd Neil Barnes and younger brother Curtis Wayne Barnes.

The ministries of the U.S. Center for World Missions and Samaritan’s Purse will be the recipients of any memorial gifts.