Robert A. Barnhart, 71, of S. Juliana Street, Bedford, died Saturday
evening, November 14, 2009, at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in
Johnstown.  He was born September 9, 1938 in Cumberland, Md., son of the late Emory Robert “Barney” Barnhart and Wanetta “Neen” (Ayers) Barnhart.
On February 13, 1960 in Englewood, Ohio, he married Jane Koozer and she
survives along with three children: Linda J. Frazier of Bedford, Brian R.
Barnhart and partner Kevin Patterson of Ebensburg and Diana R., wife of Jeff
Holler of Manns Choice; two grandchildren, Joshua and Jennifer Frazier, both
of Bedford. Also surviving are two sisters: Betty, wife of Dr. Ronald
Markwood, and Carolyn Barnhart both of Bedford, and numerous nieces and great nieces and nephews.
Barnhart is probably best known as the owner and operator of the Coach
Room Restaurant in Bedford from 1962 through 1993. The restaurant was
started in 1948 when Barnhart's parents purchased the Horseshoe Trail
Tavern; the family expanded and renamed it in 1957. Bob took over when he
returned from the Army in 1962. In 1975-77, the Barnharts also operated the
Village Market, and in the 1980s, they had a catering business that provided
boxed lunches for senior citizens centers. More recently, he has been providing food in a different way, as a member of the board of directors and manager of the Bedford Food Outreach Inc. Just last month he took part in the dedication of a new food pantry
site in Bedford Township.  Barnhart also has served almost six years on Bedford Borough Council.  A graduate of Bedford High School, Class of 1957, he attended Penn State
University, then served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Ky., 1959-62, before
returning to Bedford.  In his role as a restauranteur, he was a member of the former Bedford Retail Merchants Association, the Bedford County Heritage Commission,
Bedford-Breezewood Tourist and Resort Bureau, and Pennsylvania Restaurant
Association.  He was a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce and served two years, 1986-88, on the board of directors. A member of the Bedford FFA in high
school and long-time supporter of FFA and 4-H through the Junior Livestock
Auction, he also had served on the Bedford County Fair Board of Directors.
He was the Bedford Elks Citizen of the Year in 1977. He also was a
member and past president of the Bedford Jaycees and received the
Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Jaycees. A current member
of the Sunrise Rotary Club and a former member and past president of the
Bedford Rotary Club, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary
International in 1977.  An avid Bedford Bison, Penn State and Steelers fan, he was the first recipient of the Bedford Bison Booster of the Year award in 1974.  Barnhart also boosted his community by helping to found and chairing the Northern Appalachian Crafts Festival, with its signature bed race, in 1974. He carried his interest in crafts to the present day, when he and his wife sold their birdhouses at the Fall Foliage Festival and other festivals.  He was a member and elder of the Bedford Presbyterian Church, serving on various committees, and received the church's Distinguished Service Award in
2008.
Funeral Services:  Wednesday, November 18, 2009  at 11:00 a.m. at the Bedford
Presbyterian Church with Rev. Doug Friant officiating.  Burial at Bedford
Cemetery. Friends will be received on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the
Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford, and one hour prior to the
service at the Church on Wednesday morning. Our online guest book is
available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bedford Food Outreach, P.O. Box 324, Bedford, PA, 15522, in his memory.
 
 

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