fin Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 I was forwarded this by Duane White. I did not know Bob Barci, but his creation of the Mnt. Baker Banked Slalom Snowboard Race makes him a legend in my mind. Good turns to you Bob. Fin _________________________________________________________________ Bob passed away at his home in Fall City on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. He was 60 years old. Bob was born in 1946 in Everett, Washington, to Robert and Kathleen Barci. He graduated from Cascade High in 1964 and attended Everett Community College. Bob grew up in a south Everett neighborhood where the kids outnumbered the parents. It was an era when kids spent their free time outside, playing baseball, climbing trees, and building camps and bicycles. Bob was continually modifying his bike. This early interest would become a life-long passion as well as providing his livelihood for most of his life. As a teenager, Bob was drawn to skate boarding and surfing, and made his own skate and surf boards. One year, Bob and his buddies tied the surfboard on top of his '47 Ford and headed south to California; this too would be part of Bob's life and legacy. As with many Americans, Bob was influenced by President Kennedy. He took the President's physical fitness challenge by walking from Everett to the Space Needle and back. Bob served in the Navy and was ''boots on'' in the Delta during the Vietnam conflict as a Huey helicopter mechanic. He was also a jet mechanic and crew chief on the maiden voyage of the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. After the Navy, Bob and his good friend opened several ''Bikefactory'' stores in the Puget Sound area, on the San Juan Islands, and in Hawaii. His stores were among the earliest to carry skateboard, BMX, and snowboard equipment in the northwest and the Bikefactory sponsored many aspiring young athletes on their skateboard and BMX teams. The surfing bug came back to Bob in the form of snowboarding. After spending many years trekking in the wilderness for hours just for one soulful ride, he was among the few early boarders who convinced ski resorts to allow snowboarders to use the hills and lifts. Referred to as the ''Grandfather of Snowboarding in the Northwest,'' Bob did much to help build today's robust local snowboarding scene. Bob and other local retailers began the Northwest Snowboard series in the 1980's, a series of snowboard races that launched many northwest riders into national and international fame. Another particularly important contribution is the famous Mt Baker Banked Slalom Snowboard race. Mt Baker has a natural half pipe that Bob thought was perfect for a banked slalom, and after some persuasion the owners of the resort allowed Bob and his snowboard buddies to have a race there on Superbowl Sunday. This event has grown to international status and Bob was honored for his dedication and perseverance in the movie ''Platinum'' which tells the 20-year history of the Banked Slalom at Mt Baker and credits Bob as the originator of this event. Bob joined the Crystal Mountain Volunteer Ski Patrol in 1995, where he met his wife Nancy, another enthusiastic snowboarder. As one of the first snowboard patrollers, Bob worked tirelessly to bring more snowboarders onto patrols in the northwest and train them to be the best patrollers on the hill. He became the regional and divisional snowboard advisor and also worked nationally. Bob and Nancy moved to the Hyak Patrol at Snoqualmie Pass in 2002. A car enthusiast his whole life, Bob spent many years rebuilding custom Subarus into hotrods. The proud owner of a Cobra, Bob displayed at many car shows around the Northwest and was an active member and the recent past President of the Legends Car Club of Kirkland. The last Bikefactory store closed in Bellevue in the 90's and Bob became a faithful and loyal employee of Seattle Bike Supply until his death. Bob leaves his wife Nancy, mother Kathleen Barci, daughter Kellie Eaton (Jim), Step daughters Angela Storey, Sarah Storey, Kristin Jones (Mike), grandchildren Evan and Christine Eaton, brother Dennis Barci(Suzie) nephews Ryan (Sarah) and Steven Barci and uncle Paul Barci (Anna Marie). He was preceded in death by his father Robert Barci. A memorial service for Bob will be held on Saturday April 14th, at 10:30 a.m., at Timber Lake Christian Fellowship, 4505 236th Ave NE, Redmond, WA (www.tlcf.org for directions). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Prokopiw Posted April 9, 2007 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 I had the great pleasure of meeting and working with Bob at Silver Mountain on a couple of occasions while I was conducting regional riding improvement clinics for board patrolers. We hit it off from the first minute as we shared a passion for all things bike and board. It should be noted that Bob was a Hardbooter and was very interested in the advantages that the boots and bindings might provide patrolers.We were going to do alot of work togeather until cancer infiltrated his life.He was the most knowledgeble and friendliest trainer I ever worked with.I am extremely saddened to hear of his passing.Snowsports,biking,patroling and anyone who knew him have lost a great friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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