In Memoriam

Douglas Michael Barnard
November 11, 1943 - May 14, 2019

Retired Air Force Major Douglas Michael Barnard or Hornell, N.Y., passed away on May 14, 2019, at the VA Medical Center in Bath, N.Y. Doug was raised in the New England area. After his 1961 graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and was chosen to attend the USAF Academy Prep School and the USAF Academy where he graduated in 1968.

A navigator and electronics warfare officer, Doug trained for one and a half years on T-ET-29s before flying C-47s in Vietnam and Thailand. Upon returning to the States, he was an instructor for ET-29s at the Electronic Warfare School and finished off the flying portion of his career in F-4Cs and Gs in Okinawa.

Doug was stationed at Victorville, Calif., as a "Wild Weasel." His last four years in the Air Force were at Ramstein Air Base in Germany at USAFE Headquarters (where he met his wife, Jo, and they were married in Basel, Switzerland). Doug retired in July 1986, returned to school and received his master's in computer science from Boston University.

Upon returning from Germany in 1991, Doug adopted Hornell, N.Y., as his home. He became a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church, served as a Faith in Action volunteer, was a dedicated Kiwanis member and worked backstage many summers on the local Rotary musicals.

Doug's passion in later years was trains. He was definitely a "geek" about train lore, the Erie Railroad and the N/T TRAC model trains. He beloved to the Hornell Model Train Club, the Twin Tiers N/TRAC Club, as well as being a docent/board member of the Hornell Depot Museum.

Doug was best known for his caring, kind, thoughtful, humble demeanor and his sharp intellect. (His knowledge about almost every topic was just a stated fact; no one every needed a dictionary or encyclopedia when Doug was around.) Doug was a wonderfully awesome husband and a true friend to everyone who knew him. "Doug, you are the best ever! Ich liebe dich, immer, immer!"                                                                                                                                         (Jo Barnard, Doug's wife)


Obituary:
Douglas Michael Barnard, Major USAF Retired, 75 of Van Campen Road, passed away early Tuesday evening (May 14, 2019) at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Bath.

Born on November 14, 1943 in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Janet (Jones) Barnard and Charles Barnard; Doug was raised by his grandmother, Sally Barnard.

Doug graduated from Weare High School (New Hampshire) in 1961. After enlisting in the US Air Force, he attended the US Air Force Academy Prep School and the US Air Force Academy from which he graduated in 1968.

A Navigation and Electronics warfare officer, Doug trained for 1 1/2 years on T/ET-29s before flying C-47s in Viet Nam and Thailand. Upon returning to the States he was an instructor for ET-29s at the Electronic Warfare School and finished off the flying portion of his career in F4-Cs and -G s in Okinawa. Doug was stationed at Victorville, CA as a Wild Weasel, "ferreting out" SAM and AAA radars. His last four years in the Air Force were at Ramstein Air Base in Germany at USAFE HQ. (where in 1984, he met and married his wife, Jo, in Basel, Switzerland)

He retired in July 1986, returned to school and received his Master's degree in Computer Science from Boston University.
In 1990, Doug devoted his time and love to helping raise his nephew, Nash, as well as being the rock and support for his wife as she pursued her career.

Upon returning from Germany in 1991, Doug adopted Hornell as his home and became very active in the "Maple City" Community. As a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church, he has been a Deacon, Elder and Trustee as well as an adult Sunday School Teacher. Doug always made sure the Crèche scene was proudly displayed yearly in front of the Church and was often seen doing kitchen duty for various Church activities and the Sunday Meals Program. He served as the Faith In Action Coordinator and a regular volunteer

Doug was also a very proud member and secretary of the Hornell Kiwanis Club. He thoroughly enjoyed organizing the Highway Clean-up and being "on-air" during Radio Days as well as participating in all the Club's activities. He also spent many summers working backstage with the Rotary Club Musicals.

Doug had a passion for trains! He was definitely a, "geek", about train lore, the Erie Railroad and N/T TRAC model trains. He belonged to the Hornell Model Train Club and the Twin Tiers NTRAC Club. He also served as a docent for the Hornell Depot Museum and was a Board Member.

Doug is survived by his wife, Jo; nephew, Nash Bennett; sister, Leslie Young; aunt, Win Barnard; brother-in-law, Ross Bennett; godchildren Mitchell Jackson, Tony Carrington, Sierra Carrington and Adrianna Harmonson; cousins, Susan (Michael) Ellsworth, David (Louise) Barnard; his Church Family and many special friends he has met throughout life to include his Friday night movie buddies Roger & Jaxson Utz and fellow ferroequinologist Bill Mammosser.

Committal services, with full military honors, took place at 2 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2019 at Bath National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either the United Presbyterian Church or the Sunday Meals Program in care of the United Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 306, Hornell, to Faith In Action, P.O. Box 117, Hornell or to the Hornell Erie Depot Museum, P.O. Box 627, Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Online condolences or remembrances of Doug are welcomed on the Facebook page of Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. or at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

His obituary may be found at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.


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