Robert Michael Barber - Memory Eternal

Right after laying to rest our sister Eleanor we had to do the same for our brother the Reader Robert Michael. Bob was the brother-in-law of my friend and former pastor Fr. Michael Roshak. He was also the choir director at St. Mark Orthodox Church in Bethesda. He was buried with a tuning fork in his hand.

At the Panikhida on Friday evening one priest told how he said that Bob was a musician and Bob corrected him, "Church musician." He and my friend Drew Pastor sang together in a group in Columbia, Pro Cantatore, I think.

Even if he were not related to Fr. Michael, I think that I would had met him any way because of my relationship with St. Mark Church in Bethesda. I did not go there on a regular basis because it was difficult to get there by bus. I gave it serious consideration before I settled for my cathedral, St. Nicholas.

I could go on and on about my relationship with St. Mark and the people there. I have many stories and experience which I can share and I will in time. Their pastor, Fr. Gregory Safchuk, also known as "Protopresbyter" and I are both Nikon loves. My nickname is "Protodeacon." We both have served as official photographer for the All American Council of the Orthodox Church in America. He was this year and I was in 1986. Then I did not use the Nikon, but the Mamiya C33 and Kowa SIX. Today I shoot only digital.

There is not much that I can say about Bob from personal experiences. I do not have stories to share about him. He was just a good friend and somebody whom I will miss. I did not take many photos at the Panikhida because I was busy and it just did not feel appropriate.

May his memory be eternal.