Henry Lewis Barnhart
February 01, 1926 - January 26, 2007
Obituary
Henry Lewis Barnhart, 80, of Aberdeen, died January 26, 2007, at Harford Memorial Hospital. He was born February 1, 1926 in Hickory, PA, the son of Mary and Jobe Barnhart. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and spent most of his adult years residing in Aberdeen.
He served as a tank driver in General Patton’s Fourth Armored Division during World War II. In that capacity, he was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. He served additional time in Europe as a Constabulary Policeman after the war’s end, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant T-4.
After leaving the army, he remained in Europe and attended Biarritz University in France, then transferred to Westminster College in Pennsylvania where he earned a BS degree in Mathematics. In 1950 he married Mary Elizabeth O’Connor of Youngstown, Ohio.
Henry began his career as a civilian employee with the U.S. Army in 1951 at Jefferson Proving Ground in Madison, Indiana. He transferred to Aberdeen, MD in 1958 where he worked as a Mathematician for the Material Test Directorate (MTD) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds until his retirement in 1984.
During his retirement years, he was extensively involved with Meals on Wheels of Harford County, Maryland and was Membership Chairman of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). In 1997, he and his wife Mary were named “Beautiful People” by the Harford County Government.
He served as a Deacon, Trustee and Member of Session at Grove Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, Maryland. In addition, for 22 years, he managed the cemetery at the Church. Henry was known as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather to his family. His main interest was his family and going to family activities. Friends will remember him as a kind and caring gentleman.
A great-grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Barnhart of Aberdeen, two daughters: Becky and her husband , Scott Krieger of Bel Air, Joan Barnhart of Abingdon and two sons: Ted Barnhart of Byesville, Ohio and Randy and his wife Anne Barnhart of Bedford, New Hampshire. He is further survived by 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, sisters Audrey Blackwell of Butler, PA and Nancy Rotz of Lowellville, Ohio and brother Donald Barnhart of Struthers, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the “Continuing the Vision Fund” in care of Grove Presbyterian Church, 50 East Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD 21001. A Memorial has been established at www.tarringcargo.com. Friends can post their respects on this website.
A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Saturday, February 3 at Grove Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. The schedule is as follows: 11:00 a.m. visitation with the family in the church parlor followed by a Memorial Service at Grove Church at 12 Noon.
Funeral Home:
Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home
333 South Parke Street
Aberdeen, MD
US 21001
Events
Graveside
Mon Jan 1, 2007 @ 12:00 AM EDT
Grove Presbyterian Cemetery • Post Rd., Aberdeen, MD 21001
Visitation
Sat Feb 3, 2007 @ 12:00 AM EDT
Grove Presbyterian Church • 50 East Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD 21001
Service
Sat Feb 3, 2007 @ 12:00 PM EDT
Grove Presbyterian Church • 50 East Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD 21001
Photos
No photos of Henry have been shared yet.
Memories
SK
Scott H. Krieger
Other •
Lew Barnhart was a very fine, loving, caring and compassionate man. He was a quiet, ethical, hard working man who spoke with his actions much more than his words. Throughout his life, he lead his family, co-workers and parishioners by example. He loved his family, his God, his church and his fellow man and this love was returned manyfold. His obituary only capitures a small part of his footprint on this earth. He always treated me like a son. He quickly forgave me when this foolish 16 year old kid ran into his 57 Chevy. He trusted me to date his teenage daughter who later became my wife. He would crawl under my car with me to help me save a few bucks on repairs. He helped me wire my first finished basement. I relied on him for help with plumbing projects. This very handy man was a terrific mentor and resource to me and his whole family whenever we needed advice on most any project. He was a terrific grandfather to my two children. We could always count on him to say grace at every family event, because it came so naturally to him. He blessed us by doing this at our daughter's wedding. He would never say no to anyone who needed a hand with anything. He would not hesitate to get up on the roof of the church if a leak needed to be fixed, even into his seventies. He was a brilliant man committed to a lifetime of learning. He put four children through college and encouraged them in their careers and lives. He rejoiced in his family's successes and quietly hurt more than anyone when we experienced setbacks in our lives. I will always remember his love for coffee and the need to have a cup with him at all times. He loved family vacations at the beach. His recycling bordered on fanatacism. He enjoyed tending his garden, working around the yard and keeping up his home and vehicles. He relished being the loan Democrat in a sea of Republicans. He rejoiced in family gatherings. He had a wry wit and a self deprecating humor. He loved walking our dogs and rough housing with our kids. We loved him very much and he will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
KO
Kevin O'Neil
Other •
Randy, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. From reading the obit, your father was a very special person. Peace, Kevin
TL
Tom Looney
Other •
Randy, Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this time. I apreciate your fathers service to our country. Tom
LO
Laura Heffley & Charlie Olinski
Other •
Ted, We were very sorry to hear about your loss.
JE
Joyce Engle
Other •
I was fortunate enough to work for Lou as a summer student at MTD. He was a wonderful person and I only wish I could have known him longer. Please let me or my husband Andy Engle know if we can help in any way, example grandkids, dogs (we do rescue work), meals on wheels, etc.
KH
Kelly Hunt
Other •
My grandfather was a great man. He served others and the Lord in a way that I can only hope to imitate. He was gentle and kind, yet also fair and just. His sense of humor was sly, and he had a fabulous twinkle in his eye whenever he was being silly. He loved his family and I am so thankful to have been his grandaughter.