Robert Winston Bartel
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Rob Bartel, 66, resident of Columbia, Missouri, died on May 10, 2020 at University of Missouri Hospital from complications of a stroke suffered during surgery.
Rob was born in Columbia and graduated from Hickman High School in 1971. After earning a Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1978 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he moved to Oregon to begin his career in computer engineering. He started a family and was a devoted father coaching little league, sharing his love of computers, serving as Scout Master and watched his sons play football. He served as a role model at work and in life encouraging a love of learning, innovation, challenge and growth both personal and professional. Rob returned to Columbia in 2006.
As a senior software developer for iGrafx of Portland, Oregon, he spent his career as a computer software problem solver, taking on difficult projects as a process modeling and software architect. He was well respected and colleagues shared “Rob would always solve problems no matter what kind.” Committed to bettering his community, he was a champion of Kate’s Heart, active in Metro Rotary, the Unitarian Universalist church, and several other service organizations.
A man with a kind heart, great compassion, and bright mind, Rob was also selfless and humble. He cared deeply and unconditionally, making each person feel special. Friends said, “He made every person that he met feel cared for, listened to and beautiful.” “He wanted to know the things that people felt were important and he wanted to journey along exploring that with them.” “Rob was incredibly generous and kind. He had a really great laugh. And he looked upon the world with clarity and courage.” He was well-known for his wonderful “Rob hug.”
Rob was fiercely dedicated to his family from his 97-year-old mother to his newest grandbaby. Time with his family and friends was his most cherished resource. Rob fought bravely and we desperately wanted him to win this battle. We loved and cherished him and he loved us back in his deep and wonderful way.
Rob is survived by his mother, Marie Bartel; fiancée, Elaine Alleman Martin; sons, Zack (Cara) Bartel and Jake (Kim) Bartel; grandchildren, Ben, Blair, Ryder, Kayden, and Mila; Elaine’s children, Alex Martin (Katherine McKean) and Andrea Martin; sister, Susan Bartel; nephew-in-law, Ryan (Jennifer) Kromann; grandniece, Ellie and grandnephew, Sam; uncle, Mel (Bernita) Bartel; dear friends, Jan and Marvin Neitzert; the mother of his sons, Lynda Sweet Bartel; former wife, Jill Ostrow; and many loving cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his father, Robert A. Bartel and his beloved niece, Kate Kromann.
In accordance with his wishes, his final deed on this earth is to give a gift of life and restored health to others through organ and tissue donation. He will be a hero to people he will never meet, in addition to a hero to those of us who knew him.
A memorial service will be planned later. To honor Rob’s generous support of nonprofits please make donations to Kate’s Heart katesheart.org, Metro Rotary of Columbia columbiametrorotary.org, The Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia uucomo.org, or the charity of your choice. If you are unable to make a donation, consider performing a simple act of kindness in remembrance of Rob.
Celebration of life will be held at a later date so we are all able to celebrate together as he would have liked.
Please share memories, photos and condolences either here and/or send an email to memories@bartel.com. It will help his grandchildren know him.
Visits: 1
Gayle and I would like to express our condolences and sympathy for Rob’s family and friends. Even though we only met Rob once, many years ago, we heard his name mentioned many times by our friends Marvin and Jan. We pray for strength and courage for all that knew him and he will surely be missed.
I am saddened to hear about Bob’s passing. We were classmates at Hickman. I remember his kindness, thoughtfulness and humor during high school.
I am lifting his family in prayer during this heartbreaking ? time ?.
I am saddened to hear about Bob’s passing. We were classmates at Hickman. I remember his kindness, thoughtfulness and humor during high school.
I am lifting his family in prayer during this heartbreaking ? time ?.
We are so happy to have known Rob for many years as a neighbor. He was such a kind and gentle spirit. Our mourning is comforted by the fact he has moved on to a better place. RIP, Rob.
Rob was a good guy to be around. His humor side was only out weighed by his Kuhl demeanor! R.I.P. Rob!
It was a blessing to have met Rob in 2014, played a requested tune he wanted, and to see the delight in his eyes as House of the Rising Sun unfolded. I had the repeat opportunity to see you both in 2015, and Joni had yet to meet with you both. I recall his kindness, and our talk of getting together with Joni as well. He was truly a good spirit for your life, and we both give our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences for your loved loss. We pray for your rapid healing. Dennis & Joni xoxo
Rob was a wonderful and caring human being. The first impression he made on me was when he truly appreciated my homegrown, heirloom tomatoes. It made me feel special and I can see now that this was a trait of his.
“How do you honor the one who gave you life?
Maybe by sharing stories.”
That was written in 2003, by Elaine, for her mother’s memorial
It can be true today, for Rob gave her a life- probably her best life
Because of Elaine, I was blessed to meet Rob twice
The first was Christmas 2014 He, not only was my present, but he brought me my dearest present
Although we had just met, his personality made me feel like I knew him He wasn’t swayed by my
hugs or the fact that he was now my cousin 😉
Living in the City of Lights (Natchitoches), Rob, Elaine Ken (my Rob) and I ventured down to the historic district (2 streets) and Ken voluntarily became our tour guide, having grown up here Every shop window was looked into and stories told. Then we ventured down to the river to see more lights , and then to eat Ken and Rob were laughing the whole evening I was just in awe of having Elaine by my side after all these years and was indebted to the one who brought her so much love
The second time, he brought me (and was) my birthday present . This time the four of us started with lunch (my choice) and meandered down the other street in the historic district, browsing a book sale and wandering the Sports Hall of Fame, then landing at the Italian restaurant because Rob wanted Italian
I miss Rob as though I knew him
That’s how he struck me
Warm, personable, loving -family
And I can’t even imagine the loss you and your family are experiencing
I’m not good at condolences, but I did want to share with you
Elaine’s cousin
My favorite memory of Rob happened back in 1980, on a flight from Honolulu to either Seattle or Portland. My husband and I were moving back to the mainland after two years in Honolulu; I was seven months pregnant with our first child, exhausted, uncomfortable with ‘elephant legs’ – looking like something the cat had dragged aboard. At some point I glanced across the aisle at a young man, struggling patiently with a crying infant, which was giving me an unwelcome preview of parenthood. Next time I looked his way, he narrowed his eyes and said, “Do I know you?” Ordinarily I’d have been horrified to have been recognized. But it was Rob – the first time I’d seen him in years. Needless to say, it was a real pleasure catching up with a high-school friend. I remember him as kind, intelligent, and always interested in and concerned about others. I’m deeply sorry to hear of his death. My heart goes out to his family and those who loved him. RIP, Rob.
I am shocked and saddened by Rob’s death. Rob was a special person who will be greatly missed. I am sending prayers for peace and acceptance to his family and all who loved him.
Rest in peace, my friend. Thank you for the sunshine you brought to my life. I will see you on the other side.
It has taken me several day to come back and write my feelings, not because I don’t know what to say….simply not ready to say goodbye. So to you Uncle Rob I say see you soon, give my love to Grandpa and Grandma Sweet I envy your ability to hug them right now. I will forever hold my memories of you close. ??
My deepest sympathy to Rob’s family and friends on their sudden loss.
I was Rob’s doctoral mentor at MU in the late 70’s and he was my first PhD. Rob was a very talented, energetic and enthusiastic engineer and a real pleasure to work with. We were working as bioengineers at the MU Dalton Research Center studying blood flow in terminal arteries. We monitored a vessel’s diameter by means of a microscope equipped with a video camera. Rob developed an instrument that provided a time record of the diameter changes by processing the video signal directly.
I know that instrumentation, measurement and display technologies continued to play an important role in Rob’s early industrial career.
My condolences. I knew Robbie from our childhood at Little Bonne Femme Church. Pleasant memories. Looks like he lived a wonderful life. Rest in heaven.
I first met Rob at Mentor Graphics where he was a key contributing engineer to the early successes which enabled Mentor Graphics to grow to become a large company. I remember in the early days at the all employee meetings you could always count on Rob to ask a question that many wanted to know the answer to but were hesitant to ask because it might make the leadership uncomfortable. Rob did this not because he was trying to make any particular point, but only because he wanted to know the answer. He actually didn’t even think about the political aspects as it was just not his make up. Rob was always very direct, intellectually curious, and smart. It made him a great guy to work with.
I was honored that he chose to come and join iGrafx as part of the founding group of employees. I will always remember him climbing on my roof and wiring half a dozen phones into my house in the early days. That was Rob, diving in to do whatever needed to be done. He continued like that in the course of the almost 30 years that he worked at iGrafx. Dr. Rob Bartel would take on very complex problems and solve them without a lot of fanfare or need for ego stroking. In fact, no one he interacted with would have known that Rob even had his doctorate. It just wasn’t Rob’s style to flaunt it, yet he was a consummate professional.
Over the years, I saw him like us all ride the roller coaster of life, but always Rob was good natured and focused on the welfare of others. I will always remember him as good natured, friendly, and brilliant.
Myself and iGrafx were better off for having Rob in our lives and he will be missed.
Rest in Peace my friend.