ROBERT CHARLES BARBER

Condolences & Memories (4 entries)

• I had the pleasure to work as a summer research assistant for Dr. Barber in the early 1980s. My experience with Bob had a lasting impression on me. He was a genuinely good man, had time for everyone, and left you with an enduring sense of optimism. - Posted by: R.D.W. Beach, retired RCAF Officer (former research assistant) on: Dec 12, 2023

• In 2003, in the midst of January, I came to Winnipeg for my job interview with the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The night before the official interview started, Bob and his colleague Juris Svenne met me for dinner downtown. Interviews are by their nature stressful events, but their easygoing friendliness made me immediately feel welcome. Right away, I got a hunch that I would like this place. Thanks, Bob! Rest in peace. I'll eventually catch up. - Posted by: Gerald Gwinner (colleague) on: Oct 09, 2023

• As an undergraduate student, I occupied an empty office in the back of the laboratory, which turned out to be Dr. Barbers old office, who I hadn't met before. Years later he appeared out of the blue, at a Christmas potluck, in his office. I apologized for commandeering his office but he was unconcerned with the office. Instead, he showed me some of the papers he wrote and told me stories about how the cold-war was a stressful time. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Nicholas Macsai (Office occupant) on: Oct 05, 2023

• It is with deep sadness that I read this obituary for Dr. Robert Charles Barber. Bob was a pioneer in precision atomic mass measurements using deflection mass spectrometers. He designed, built and then used the Manitoba II mass spectrometer to measure the masses of many stable nuclides, predominantly among the rare earth elements. This work by him, his longtime collaborator Dr. Henry E. Duckworth, and the many members of his group, still stands as a significant contribution to our knowledge of the “backbone of stable masses” along the chart of the nuclides. I was fortunate to work with Dr. Barber (or the Red Fox as he sometimes liked to call himself) as an undergraduate, a graduate, and finally as a colleague. Through his example, I formed my impressions of how to manage a research group, and treat the members of my group with respect and openness. It would not be an exaggeration to say that we were a “research family”. Bob also contributed widely to the discipline of Physics, locally, nationally, and internationally. He was truly one of the “good guys” and a true gentleman.Above all, Bob was dedicated to his family. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed. - Posted by: Kumar Satish Sharma (Undergraduate and graduate student, colleague ) on: Oct 03, 2023