CDR Robert Dale Barkus II, U.S.N.R. (Ret.)

         Commander Robert Dale "Rob" Barkus II, 63, U.S.N.R. (Retired); a resident of Wilkes-Barre's North End neighborhood; formerly of Hazleton and Kingston, passed into Eternal Life early the morning of Monday, March 4th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family, following a battle against pancreatic cancer.

     Born on Thursday, September 15, 1960 in Hazleton, he was one of three children and the only son of the late Robert D. and Anna E. (Kinney) Barkus.  Rob grew up working at his dad's gas station, Bob's ARCO on the corner of Diamond Avenue and Cedar Street, Hazleton.

     Educated in the Hazleton schools, Rob was a 1978 graduate of the Hazleton High School.  He later furthered his education by attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from Scranton University.

     Following his formal education, Rob entered the military in September of 1982; proudly serving our country as an Electronic Attack Aviator with the United States Navy.  He piloted the EA6B Prowler aircraft, serving aboard several aircraft carriers worldwide.  At the time of his formal retirement from military duties in May of 2006 (which included time in reserve status); he was the recipient of several awards and commendations including the National Defense Service Medal;  five Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; Navy and Marine Cops Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star; two Navy "E" Ribbons; the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Armed Forces Service Medal; two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; two Meritorious Unit Commendations; two Strike/Flight Air Medals (for 60-plus combat missions); Navy Rifle Marksman Ribbon and two Navy Commendation Medals.  He retired from the Navy achieving the rank of Commander.

     Rob's love of flight held over in his civilian life.  He later became type-rated on several commercial aircraft, including the SF340B; the McDonnell Douglas DC-9; the Boeing 737, 757 and 767.  His tenure began with American Eagle, later flying with Northwest.  He then joined the former Continental Airlines until their merger with United Airlines.  He retired from United in 2022 as a Boeing 737 Captain, having spent forty years in aviation; both military and commercial.

     Following retirement, Rob did not sit idly by.  He then took employment as a bus driver with the Luzerne County Transportation Authority and would also serve as a funeral assistant with the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc. of Wilkes-Barre.

     Devoted to his Catholic faith, Rob held membership in Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary Parish, downtown Wilkes-Barre.  He formerly was an active member of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish prior to its inclusion as the Parish of Saint Andre Bessette, North Wilkes-Barre.  Here he could often be seen preparing the weekly bulletins, decorating the church for seasonal worship or assisting the pastor in a myriad of ways.

     Fraternally and socially, Rob held membership in the Joseph E. Conlon Post #558 of Plains; the Greater Pittston Knights of Columbus Council #372; the Airline Pilots Association; was a life member in both the National Rifle Association and the United States Navy Tail Hook Association.

     He and his wife the former Jacqueline M. Jones of whom he affectionately refers to as "J.J." celebrated their twenty-second anniversary of married life together on September 11, 2023.

     Besides his parents, Rob was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Mr. James Stewart Campanaro in 2016.

     Left to cherish the wonderful memories they keep of him including his beloved wife Jackie at home are his sisters; Sally Campanaro of Sugarloaf and Susan Cussat along with her husband Dan of Drums.  Several nieces and nephews including James Campanaro, his fiancé Julia and their son Vito; Anne Campanaro; Cassie Cussat-Wenner and her husband John; Daniel Cussat, his wife Rachael and their daughter Lennon; Fellow parishioners, former airline and Navy associates; several dear neighbors and loving friends.

     Funeral services for Rob will be conducted on Friday, March 8th with his concelebrated Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in the Church of Saint Nicholas, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre.  The Reverend Michael J. Boris, assistant pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, will serve as principal celebrant.  The Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, pastor of Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary Parish, along with Rob's former pastor and parochial vicar, the Reverend Kenneth M. Seegar, and the Reverend Michael J. Kloton, will serve as concelebrants.

     Entombment will follow in Mary, Mother of God Mausoleum of Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 1594 South Main Street, Hanover Township; where the Rite of Committal will be conferred, followed by military honors accorded by members of the United States Navy.

     Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to join Jackie and the family for visitation and shared remembrances directly at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.

     In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations in Rob’s memory would be greatly appreciated towards the Wounded Warrior Project, 301 Grant Street;  Suite #900, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

     The John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc. of Wilkes-Barre is honored to care for our friends Rob and Jackie at this time.  Those wishing to share online words of comfort and support with Jackie are encouraged to do so here on his memorial page.  Thank You.

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