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.”
The Ritchie County Community Foundation (RCCF) works with individuals, families, businesses, and civic or nonprofit organizations to make a positive and permanent commitment for the future of Ritchie County, West Virginia. The RCCF is an affiliate collection of funds of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) which are permanently dedicated for the benefit of Ritchie County. The PACF is a single 501(c)(3) public charity that works in partnership with local affiliates to provide leadership and develop philanthropic resources to meet the needs of an 11-county service area. Since 2000, the RCCF has helped local citizens support charitable needs and touch every aspect of life in the community in a variety of lasting ways.
The Rick Barnard Memorial Fund will make its first award in the spring of 2022 with recipient selection made through the Ritchie County Community Foundation in partnership with the MOVTI. Individuals who would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support this new fund are encouraged to send a check made payable to the PACF with “Rick Barnard Memorial” on the memo line to: PACF, PO Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV 26102. Donations may also be made online by visiting www.pacfwv.com/donate. Individuals wishing to learn more about this fund can call the Foundation at 304-428-4438.
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