[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO RONALD SHUGART BARBRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2011

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a 
constituent and patriot, Ronald Shugart Barbre who passed away 
peacefully at his home on May 15, 2011 after a brave battle with 
cancer. He was 76 years old.
  Ron was born December 20, 1934 at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los 
Angeles. His father, Thomas Russell Barbre, was the 39th captain in the 
history of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and his mother, Sarah 
Shugart Barbre, was a homemaker. He grew up in the Athens District of 
Los Angeles and graduated from Washington High School.
  He attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a naval 
ROTC scholarship and graduated with a degree in International 
Relations. Even though she was a graduate of cross town rival UCLA, he 
married the love of his life, Nancy on June 23, 1957 while on active 
naval duty. They initially lived in Bremerton, WA while he finished his 
active duty, and upon honorable discharge, moved to Balboa Island 
before settling in Fullerton, CA. In 1969, Ron and Nancy moved to the 
new community of Yorba Linda, CA where they raised their family and 
were active members of Rose Drive Friends Church.
  After his active duty military service, he earned his MBA from USC 
and embarked upon a successful sales career in the publishing business. 
He carried the first issue of Electronic Component News (ECN) and 
helped develop this publication in the burgeoning electronics industry 
for Chilton Publishing. By the time he retired in 1998, he had risen to 
the role of regional vice president for Chilton-ABC Publishing.
  Ron helped form the Orange County chapter of the Business and 
Professional Advertising Association (BPAA) where he annually organized 
the annual tennis tournament. He became a Certified Business 
Communicator (CBC) through the organization and assisted countless 
students interested in the advertising and publishing business. He also 
became known as ``Mr. Closer'' and developed the art of the ``power 
lunch''.
  Ron led a very active life as a competitive tennis player and 
indefatigable hiker & biker. He was an avid reader who loved history 
and biographies, and was always a faithful and active member of his 
church.
  Following the loss of his first wife, Nancy, to cancer in 1993, he 
moved from the hills of Yorba Linda to the coastal community of San 
Clemente where he married his second wife, Joyce. His dream retirement 
was one in which he could play as much tennis as he wished, ride his 
bike in flat areas, and walk on the beach every day. With Joyce, Ron 
joined the San Clemente Presbyterian Church where they each found a new 
life together.
  In retirement he spent time volunteering at the San Diego Air & Space 
Museum, as a docent at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, and 
travelling the world with Joyce and many friends. He also consistently 
spent time with his family on both coasts and with Joyce's family of 4 
children and 9 grandchildren.
  Ron is survived by his wife Joyce of San Clemente; son Brian (Birgit) 
of Gloucester, MA; his son Brett (Jean) of Yorba Linda; his grandson 
Daniel of Gloucester, MA; his sister Josephine Cullen of Rolling Hills 
Estates; his sister Jeanette Pickering of Ventura; numerous cousins, 
nieces, nephews, step-children & step-grandchildren, and friends and 
colleagues coast to coast. He was predeceased by his first wife Nancy, 
his parents Tom Sr. and Sarah; his sister June Wagner and his brothers 
Tom Barbre, Jr. and Robert Shugart.
  A memorial service celebrating Ron's extraordinary life will be held 
in June. Ron will always be remembered for his incredible work ethic, 
generosity, athleticism, and love of family. His dedication to his 
family and community are a testament to a life lived well and a legacy 
that will continue. I extend my condolences to Ron's family and 
friends; although Ron may be gone, the light and goodness he brought to 
the world remain and will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________