Richard “Rick” L. Barnard began his professional career at the National Bank of Commerce in the 1970s. He continued his career in the banking industry with Huntington Bank, and later with Centra Bank where he retired from the industry. The later years of his career were spent in the field of education, first in developing the technology resources of Ritchie County Schools and then pursuing a Master of Arts in Education from Marshall University so that he could teach in the public school setting.

He devoted his time and efforts to the students at Mid-Ohio Valley Technical Institute (MOVTI) located in St. Marys, WV. He celebrated the accomplishments of his students and took great pride in their successes at the competitions in which they participated.

Born January 28, 1955, Rick was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He loved to spend time hunting, fishing, gardening, and working on his farm. He possessed a wide array of skills related to all these activities. He enjoyed family and friends, discussions with anyone, apple pie, working with students, God, and the church. Rick passed away on May 16, 2018.

Building on the good things in Rick’s life, his family has established a scholarship with the Ritchie County Community Foundation to help MOVTI and Ritchie County students obtain certification for improvement in their fields of expertise.

“Rick loved giving a helping hand up to those students who had the desire to improve their knowledge and skills,” said Rick’s father, Richard Barnard. “It is our hope that each student recipient of the Rick Barnard Memorial Scholarship will achieve great success.”