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.