Richard J. Barnick, 72, ODOT Design and Planning Engineer

Mr. Barnick was born October 12, 1930 in Cleveland and has been an Avon Lake resident since 1959.

Mr. Barnick graduated from Fenn College, Cleveland in 1954 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He then went to work with the Ohio Department of Highways and begun his career with ODOT in the Design and Planning Department. Mr. Barnick progressed through various positions and was promoted to the Design and Planning Engineering position in the early 1980s. He oversaw the design and construction of all major highway and bridge projects in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga Counties. Mr. Barnick's most notable accomplishment was his effort in the planning, design and construction of the Interstate Highway System in Greater Cleveland. After 38 years, he retired from the Department of Transportation. He continued to work as a consultant with CT Engineering, until the time of his illness.

Mr. Barnick was a member and actively involved with Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Avon Lake, serving in numerous positions, including Church Council President and Sunday School Superintendent. He also started a church baseball league with neighboring churches and was affectionately called the "Commish". Mr. Barnick loved to bowl and play golf. He went on many golf vacations with family and friends. He kept busy traveling to watch his daughter perform as a dancer and baton twirler and son play drums. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America and the Avon Lake High School Band aids.

Mr. Barnick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Vera (nee Sebok); daughter Barbara Barnick-Ben-Ezra (Vick) of Denton TX, son, James Barnick (Claudia) of Homewood, IL and grandchildren, Sarah Ben-Ezra, Andrew, Charles and Peter Barnick.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Mary (nee Petrowsky) Barnick and a sister Evelin Connors Mitzak.

Friends may call at the Busch-Burmeister Family Chapel, 163 Avon-Beldon Road, Avon Lake, Tuesday, April 1, 2003 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. All funeral services will be Wednesday, April 2nd at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 32747 Lake Road, Avon Lake at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Lyn Schlessman of the Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memory Garden, Avon.

Memorials may be forwarded to Christ Evangelical Church or the Multiple Myeloma Program of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, P. O. Box 931517, Cleveland, Ohio 44193-1655.