JEFFERSON — Sounds of 4-H cattle judging competitions, horse shows and engines at Demolition Derbies filled Bob Barnard’s life. The long-time Ashtabula County Fair Board president died Sunday at the Jefferson Healthcare Center at 78.
Barnard, who made his home in Pierpont, retired from the fair board after the 2007 fair. He was a member of the fair board for 29 years and served as president and concession manager for many of those years.
“He was amazing,” said Darla Vargo, secretary-treasurer of the fair board. “He knew everything about fairs from top to bottom.”
Vargo worked on fairs with Barnard for 22 years.
“Bob really built up our fair. He expanded our entertainment,” she said.
An open pavilion with a stage and lawn area — the Bob Barnard Entertainment Center on the back midway— was built and named after him several years ago.
“Bob had a love for the fair,” said Larry Kotnik, president of the fair board. “He knew both sides (concessions and manager) and he was fair to the concessions.”
Fair board member Wynn Wessell said Barnard put a lot of time and effort into the fair with his ponies and concessions.
“Everybody is going to miss him,” Wessell said.
Barnard is survived by his wife, Kathy; two sons, Bob and Wes; three grandsons, Bob, Wesley and Bobby, and a great-grandson, Bob V, as well as many nieces and nephews, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 6 tonight at Barnard’s very own picnic pavilion on a lake at his home in Pierpont. Refreshments will be served at 5 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Pierpont Volunteer Fire Department.
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Barnard loved fair, dies at 78
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