Obituary for Alan Barney
Alan Barney, of Easton, PA, died Dec. 30 at the Anderson Campus of St. Luke’s Hospital with his daughters by his side. He was 79.
He will be remembered for his characteristic sharp wit, which left friends and family rolling - or rolling their eyes. Whichever side you were on, you were glad to be in his company, and he was never happier than when he had company around him. His knack for bringing people together led to memorable family vacations, monthly dinner parties for friends and co-workers, and weekly happy hours where all were welcome. President of the Class of 1959 at Chestnuthill High School in Brodheadsville, PA, he organized reunions and lunches with schoolmates more than 50 years after graduation.
“Happy is a decision,” he said, “one of the best I could ever make.” What made him happiest was giving to others.
Alan was very involved at Grace Church, Bethlehem, and was known for his warmth and his unique sense of humor. As a deacon, Alan volunteered at the hospital and visited people who were home-bound. He also loved being part of Pastor Mark’s Bible studies and was an active participant in discussions. On Sundays, he was on the technical team, doing camera work for the various services. Alan has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Grace Church Bethlehem, 521 E. Locust St., Bethlehem, PA, 18018.
He was married for 398 months (Alan liked to celebrate their anniversaries by the month) to Donna Barney, becoming her primary caregiver as she struggled with the effects of multiple sclerosis. “He was a devoted husband to Donna. The way he took care of Donna was an amazing example to all of us of how a husband should care for his wife,” said Bill Freeman, a pastor at Grace Church. Donna died in 2016.
Alan was born in Bethlehem, PA, to Jerome and Natalie (Jackson) Barney. Childhood memories included summer days at the Saucon Valley Country Club, playing with his dog Dragon, trips to the library, and possibly throwing a chicken head through his neighbor’s window. By accident.
When he was 13, a summer vacation spot near Saylorsburg became the family’s permanent home, and he made an uneasy transition into a more isolated lifestyle. But by the time he was in high school, he had friends with cars and a new summer pastime - as an infielder in the Pocono Mountain Baseball League. He often spoke of the good fortune of his grandfather teaching him to bat lefty, even though he was right-handed. Some of his best memories were of sports. In high school, he played baseball, basketball and track, and he played baseball at Lehigh University as well. Later, his interests included racquetball, golf, tennis, touch football, intramural wrestling at Lehigh, horseback riding, pinball, and darts. Not to mention many, many water battles at family reunions.
His time at Lehigh University led to a life-time devotion to that institution, where he was recently elected president of the Class of 1963 and continued to enjoy wrestling meets and arts and cultural events.
After graduation, he took a job with DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, where he moved with his first wife, Judy (Gould) Bush, and a newborn daughter. His time with DuPont, where he stayed till retirement, included almost four years living in Taipei, Taiwan, and more travels around the world than he or his family could have ever imagined. In addition to the time in Taiwan, overseeing the finances of a DuPont subsidiary, he worked in disbursements, was a payroll manager, a financial analyst, a sales manager and finally a critical staff person to a DuPont vice president.
He was an avid contract bridge player, competing in various tournaments over the years, including national competitions. In the 1990s, he was president of the Delaware chapter of the People to People organization. He held various leadership and volunteer positions in churches throughout his life, including deacon, trustee, service speaker, home group leader, hospital visitor and videographer. “Like anything done for others,” he said, “the blessing comes back to the giver multiple times.”
Although the social restrictions of the pandemic cramped his style, he was determined to live life to the fullest and the best way he knew how: driving those who needed rides to their doctor appointments or to the grocery store, switching to virtual hospice visits, and planning new ways to bring together the older singles in his church community.
Alan had two daughters and a son: Janis Schachter of Northport, NY, Linda Barney (Rodney Raughley), of Kunkletown, PA, and Douglas Barney of Madrid, Spain. He had three grandchildren, Jacob Hottenstein (Amanda Darley), Ari Schachter, and Noa Schachter. His sister, Jeralie Walters, lives in Ocala, FL. His brother, Kent Barney, died in 2002. His father-in-law is Don Markelwitz of Dillsburg, PA. He treasured each and every one of his cousins, nieces, and nephews.
One of his delights after his move to Easton was the close contact he had with his nephew, Scott Walters, and Scott’s wife Catherine, as well as his dear friend Veronica Gonzalez.
“Most memories that really matter are with my family and friends,” he said.
He will be remembered most for his ability to bring people together. And he will be dearly missed.
Memorial services will be private at the convenience of the family. Times and dates for a public gathering and celebration of Alan's life will be announced on a later date.
Kresge Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
www.kresgefuneralhome.com
He will be remembered for his characteristic sharp wit, which left friends and family rolling - or rolling their eyes. Whichever side you were on, you were glad to be in his company, and he was never happier than when he had company around him. His knack for bringing people together led to memorable family vacations, monthly dinner parties for friends and co-workers, and weekly happy hours where all were welcome. President of the Class of 1959 at Chestnuthill High School in Brodheadsville, PA, he organized reunions and lunches with schoolmates more than 50 years after graduation.
“Happy is a decision,” he said, “one of the best I could ever make.” What made him happiest was giving to others.
Alan was very involved at Grace Church, Bethlehem, and was known for his warmth and his unique sense of humor. As a deacon, Alan volunteered at the hospital and visited people who were home-bound. He also loved being part of Pastor Mark’s Bible studies and was an active participant in discussions. On Sundays, he was on the technical team, doing camera work for the various services. Alan has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Grace Church Bethlehem, 521 E. Locust St., Bethlehem, PA, 18018.
He was married for 398 months (Alan liked to celebrate their anniversaries by the month) to Donna Barney, becoming her primary caregiver as she struggled with the effects of multiple sclerosis. “He was a devoted husband to Donna. The way he took care of Donna was an amazing example to all of us of how a husband should care for his wife,” said Bill Freeman, a pastor at Grace Church. Donna died in 2016.
Alan was born in Bethlehem, PA, to Jerome and Natalie (Jackson) Barney. Childhood memories included summer days at the Saucon Valley Country Club, playing with his dog Dragon, trips to the library, and possibly throwing a chicken head through his neighbor’s window. By accident.
When he was 13, a summer vacation spot near Saylorsburg became the family’s permanent home, and he made an uneasy transition into a more isolated lifestyle. But by the time he was in high school, he had friends with cars and a new summer pastime - as an infielder in the Pocono Mountain Baseball League. He often spoke of the good fortune of his grandfather teaching him to bat lefty, even though he was right-handed. Some of his best memories were of sports. In high school, he played baseball, basketball and track, and he played baseball at Lehigh University as well. Later, his interests included racquetball, golf, tennis, touch football, intramural wrestling at Lehigh, horseback riding, pinball, and darts. Not to mention many, many water battles at family reunions.
His time at Lehigh University led to a life-time devotion to that institution, where he was recently elected president of the Class of 1963 and continued to enjoy wrestling meets and arts and cultural events.
After graduation, he took a job with DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, where he moved with his first wife, Judy (Gould) Bush, and a newborn daughter. His time with DuPont, where he stayed till retirement, included almost four years living in Taipei, Taiwan, and more travels around the world than he or his family could have ever imagined. In addition to the time in Taiwan, overseeing the finances of a DuPont subsidiary, he worked in disbursements, was a payroll manager, a financial analyst, a sales manager and finally a critical staff person to a DuPont vice president.
He was an avid contract bridge player, competing in various tournaments over the years, including national competitions. In the 1990s, he was president of the Delaware chapter of the People to People organization. He held various leadership and volunteer positions in churches throughout his life, including deacon, trustee, service speaker, home group leader, hospital visitor and videographer. “Like anything done for others,” he said, “the blessing comes back to the giver multiple times.”
Although the social restrictions of the pandemic cramped his style, he was determined to live life to the fullest and the best way he knew how: driving those who needed rides to their doctor appointments or to the grocery store, switching to virtual hospice visits, and planning new ways to bring together the older singles in his church community.
Alan had two daughters and a son: Janis Schachter of Northport, NY, Linda Barney (Rodney Raughley), of Kunkletown, PA, and Douglas Barney of Madrid, Spain. He had three grandchildren, Jacob Hottenstein (Amanda Darley), Ari Schachter, and Noa Schachter. His sister, Jeralie Walters, lives in Ocala, FL. His brother, Kent Barney, died in 2002. His father-in-law is Don Markelwitz of Dillsburg, PA. He treasured each and every one of his cousins, nieces, and nephews.
One of his delights after his move to Easton was the close contact he had with his nephew, Scott Walters, and Scott’s wife Catherine, as well as his dear friend Veronica Gonzalez.
“Most memories that really matter are with my family and friends,” he said.
He will be remembered most for his ability to bring people together. And he will be dearly missed.
Memorial services will be private at the convenience of the family. Times and dates for a public gathering and celebration of Alan's life will be announced on a later date.
Kresge Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
www.kresgefuneralhome.com