Robert F.J. Barnett

Robert F.J. Barnett,
B.A.(Waterloo), M.A.(Queen’s)
Professor Emeritus of Economics
Bishop’s University.

Barnett, Robert Francis John, June 9, 2021, at Cheticamp, NS. Predeceased by his parents and his sister Dorothy Ann Jane Barnett; wife of the late Dr. Alan Bruce Hood; mother of Susan (Toronto) and Thomas (The Hague). His brother William resides in Cheticamp, NS. 

Robert passed away on the morning of June 9, 2021. He had a complaint and died on his way to the hospital and really had pretty good health up until that time.

I don’t really know the particulars and perhaps won’t. There hasn’t been any obituary up until now from the family and if he follows suit as his long-time buddy William Shearson there won’t be any.

I considered Robert one of my better friends in life while we were at Bishop’s and living in Lennoxville and North Hatley for the better part of twenty years. He moved to Cheticamp with his brother and I came out west; I will miss him dearly!

He was one of my professors of economics at Bishop’s University, a mentor and provided me with the use of his office on weeknights and that was instrumental in getting me through the Economics Faculty and finally graduating. As did his colleges Stan Groves, Cecil Haver, and Fakhari Siddiqui with whom I had Friday lunch on many occasions as well as numerous other occasions on and off-campus. Bishop’s was one of the greatest times of my life and all the professors at the time made the experience so. Our foursome of John Karpluk (deceased), Tim Belford at golf was great fun and went on for years. Tennis at the club in North Hatley on the clay courts was just our speed and skill to spend the afternoon. He had two residents in North Hatley but none with a beach so most weekends he spent on my beach in the Hat. Large parties and barbeques were the norms in those days and we had the greatest of times.

The fishing camp dating back to 1896 was a great retreat for him; a private camp way out past electricity with a lodge on a private lake. A great place to chill and enjoy the club membership.

Stan Groves, then a professor of Economics at Bishop’s, co-founded the Golden Lion Pub with Robert and Dr. David Seale, fellow profs in 1973; his son Stan Jr now manages the pub and brewery.

Cards at Lucie’s with Caroline will be missed but will live on in memories as will all the other times at football games or road trips to Queens to watch the Gaiters.

His generosity and hospitality were legendary as he was a pillar of the community on and off-campus. A gentleman, that will be dearly missed!

It was a pleasure Robert and in your own words, “well done”!