Robert A. Barnes

Robert Alan Barnes passed away peacefully at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.  Bob was born February 3, 1955 at York, PA Hospital to the late Joseph R. and Jean M. (Diehl) Barnes.

Bob was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, York, where his family faithfully attended.  Whether it was Sunday School, Summer Bible School, Youth Choir or Youth Group, you could guarantee a Barnes kid was there.  Bob was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout, Troop 19 at St. Paul's.  As a youngster, he would earn his own money delivering the York Dispatch six days a week in rain, sleet or snow.

Bob graduated from York High, Class of 1973, where he played baseball.  Bob started playing Little League when he was 8 for the Salvation Army and played through the American Legion IBEW 229 mainly as catcher.  He coached little league when he moved to Delaware.  When you grew up in York, you were an Orioles fan... somewhere along the way Bob became a diehard Minnesota Twins fan as well as a Minnesota Vikings football fan.  He also enjoyed a good round of golf.

After graduation, Bob chose to serve his country in the United States Coast Guard. He was Electronics Technician Second Class and responsible for radar as well as assisted with disabled boat rescues.  A proud Coastie, his duty stations took him to Sitka, Alaska, Hawaii where the ship was dry-docked and they were put up in condos, Governor's Island, NY where he learned the ins and outs of the city along with OTB, then finally Indian River, DE where he fell in love with the area.

He began his career working for the utility division of the City of Lewes (Board of Public Works) first working in the power plant and eventually moved to the electric department where he retired as Superintendent of the department.  He faithfully served the utility division for 39 years in all kinds of weather to ensure the lights stayed on and if they went out due to the storms, wind, rain or snow he and his crew responded to ensure the outage was as short as possible.  After retiring, he worked a seasonal job at the Schell We Golf hut meeting and greeting miniature golfers and doing maintenance work.

He was a member of the Lewes Presbyterian Church for 30 years.  He and wife later felt called to serve and become members of the Long Neck Methodist Church where he was a Trustee and also known as the "weatherman" for several summers when outdoor church was held from May to September for several years.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his brother, Joseph (Joey) Barnes; brother in law, Raymond Bunnell; father in law, Tony Lorah; and recently his daughter, Lindsay.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Denise (Lorah) Barnes; daughter, Elizabeth; mother in law, Margaret Lorah; brother in law, David Lorah (Bobbi Jo) and their children, Josh, Hailey, and Kayla Lorah; sisters, Myrna and Judy Barnes; brother, James Barnes (Beth); nephews, Chris Barnes (Donna) and their children, Matthew, Morgan, and Jenna Barnes, Shane Bunnell; niece, Becky Buchalla (Markus) and daughter, Lena.  He also leaves behind his beloved "grand-dog" Molly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Long Neck Methodist Church, 32051 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE, at 1pm.  A time of visitation will begin at Noon.  The reception to follow in the church hall.

Interment at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery with honor guard will be held at a later date.

Online condolences can be made to the family at: www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com