Dr. Robert S. Bar

Dr. Robert Stephen Bar died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 23rd, in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, alongside his wife, Laurel, while they watched their beloved Iowa Hawkeyes one last time.

Robert was born on December 2nd, 1943, to Dr. Samuel and Ms. Emma Bar, in Gainesville, Texas, where they were stationed in the Army. At the close of World War II, the family returned to their grandparents’ farm in Englishtown, New Jersey. When Robert was two, and his brother Allen four, their mother died of breast cancer. Robert and Allen were cared for by extended family, including their adoring Aunt Lillian and cousin Jacqueline. In 1951, Samuel remarried, and Mildred Moran Bar was a devoted stepmother to the boys. 

Robert obtained his Bachelor of Science from Tufts University in 1964, then his Masters of Biochemistry and Doctorate of Medicine from the Ohio State University in 1970. He further trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at Pennsylvania Hospital, the Ohio State University, and the National Institutes of Health.

Robert met his wife of 54 years, Ms. Laurel (Burns) Bar, while they were both in training at Ohio State, and married in 1971. Robert and Laurel moved to Iowa City, Iowa in 1977, where Robert remained for his entire distinguished professional career at the University of Iowa, advancing to Professor of Medicine (1986-2005), Director of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (1985-2002), Director of the National Institutes of Health Diabetes – Endocrinology Research Center (1986-2002), and Director of the Veterans Administration/Juvenile Diabetes Research Center (1996-2002). A prolific researcher, he published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and 3 books, contributing seminal advances to our understanding of the interrelated fields of immunity, insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Robert was a lauded teacher, winning an astonishing 14 teaching awards from medical students, residents, and fellows, and mentoring innumerable trainees and junior faculty. He was an expert clinician, providing care as an Internal Medicine and Endocrinology physician at the University of Iowa and Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics.

Robert was an enthusiastically dedicated father to his two children, Katie and Matt, coaching their youth basketball, soccer, baseball and softball teams, teaching them to be mediocre bowlers and card players, and instilling in them a love of Hawkeye sports. Robert was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the 1980s yet persevered with stoic grace and indomitable good humor. In 2015, Robert and Laurel moved to the Philadelphia area to be closer to family, including their five cherished grandchildren, Samuel, Jacob, Mathilda, Micah, and Jonah, who show some promise as card players, but remain mediocre bowlers. Bob Bar’s heart was so big it filled every room he entered. He amused and inspired his family, friends, trainees and colleagues with his intellect, wit, compassion, and comedic timing. His steadfast positivity through a debilitating illness was universally recognized. He is survived by his wife, Laurel; his brother, Allen (Sheryl); his children Katie (Marty) and Matt (Rebecca); grandkids Samuel, Jacob, Mathilda, Micah, and Jonah; his first cousin Jacqueline and three nieces Jessica, Alexis, and Caroline; and countless other dear friends and family members.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Hillel - Beth El in Wynnewood, PA on Sunday, March 2nd, at 10am, 1001 Remington Road, Wynnewood, PA. The family invites all who knew and loved Bob to join in celebrating his life and honoring his memory. The family will be receiving visitors following the service at the Bar/Bohnenkamp home on Sunday, and sitting shiva at the Bar home Monday and Tuesday.