Funeral Details

Dr. Ralph Lipsey Barnett

July 15, 1933 - May 13, 2023

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 12 Noon

Service

North Shore Congregation Israel
1185 Sheridan Road
Glencoe, Illinois 60022
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Clergy

Rabbi Wendi Geffen
Rabbi Lisa Greene
Cantor David M. Goldstein
North Shore Congregation Israel

Interment

Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, Illinois 60076
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10 AM
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Shiva

North Shore Congregation Israel
1185 Sheridan Road
Glencoe, Illinois 60022
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Immediately following the memorial service
and
Barnett Residence
132 East Delaware Place
Chicago, Illinois
Saturday 7PM-9PM
Sunday 2PM-6PM

Memorial Contributions

Alliance for Decision Education
www.alliancefordecisioneducation.org





OBITUARY

Dr. Ralph Lipsey Barnett, age 89.
Dr. Barnett was a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology for 50 years and a founding partner of Triodyne, Inc., a forensics engineering and science consultancy specializing in the safety of mechanical systems. Dr. Barnett held over 35 patents and published hundreds of papers over his long career. He was passionate about his work and the work of anyone who was great at their job. He was a superb storyteller and could explain anything in precise, simple dramatic language. He was blessed with the perfect life partner, his wife of 68 years, Dolores Barnett, who spotlighted his strengths, softened his rough edges, challenged his obstinance, and with her personal magnetism, filled his life with fascinating friends of all ages. He was an inspiration and role model to his children Paula (Gary Ruben) Barnett and Joel (Nancy) Barnett, his grandchildren Adam (Dana) Ruben, Samuel (Allison) Barnett, Ellery Ruben, and Lindsay Barnett, and his great-grandson Jack Barnett. Graveside service Thursday 10AM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9900 Gross Point Rd. in Skokie followed by a 12PM Memorial service at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 N. Sheridan Road, Glencoe, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alliance for Decision Education, www.alliancefordecisioneducation.org. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.


GUEST BOOK

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Sending all of you my heartfelt sympathies at this most difficult time..

Janet Miller cohen
May 15, 2023
Ralph, a friend from grade school, Sunday School to the present day. He was one of the most interesting man that I followed through the years His humor and intellect will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Sending love to Delores and the entire family.

Iris Anosov
May 15, 2023
With great sorrow, I share my reflections on Uncle Ralph (Uncle R), my father, Micheal's only brother, who died in 1979 at the age of 44. I'm sharing two significant, daunting, heroine, and impactful moments with Uncle Ralph. The first is when I went to live with Uncle R and Aunt D during my senior year of high school (1982-83). One night I came home much later than the expected curfew ( I never had a curfew until I lived with Uncle R and Aunt D) and certainly needed desperate sleep. Instead of sneaking upstairs to bed upon entering and stepping over Overbite (the Barnett dog at the time). I hear a thunderous voice calling out my full name, "Julia Iris Barnett you're just in time to watch Dr. Zhivago with your favorite Uncle". I came into his study avoiding eye contact at all costs certainly he would see how red and dilated my eyes were!! Uncle R required my full attention and company to watch Dr. Zhivago with him to the bitter end. It was the best punishment I ever received in my youth or life I would ever endure for that matter.

The second most impactful memory I will have of Uncle R was when he came to Toronto for my wedding and a group of us went to the "Belle have you eaten" brunch At the Free Times Cafe. There we were eating and celebrating the morning after my wedding and were all listening to this beautiful Yiddish music, talking laughing, and celebrating. I watched my Uncle R's face reminding me of how much my father and he looked alike yet not twins. As I looked at him I see tears running down his face not bothering to wipe the tears away allowing them to run rapidly down. I wondered if it was the music that touched his sole. Was it him missing his brother's presence? I'll never get the answer to my questions but, I do know it was a moment captured of my Uncle R's vulnerability and humane side and this I will never forget.

There are many other funny, enduring, sad, and insightful reflections I have of Uncle Ralph. For now, I wish you Uncle Ralph to rest in peace and to say hello to my father once you settle in and thank you for being there for me at some of the most important cornerstones of my life when my father could not be. I will miss you even though in more recent years due to distance and pandemics we had not seen each other as often, I will miss your intelligence, humor, and other exceptional and eccentric ways.
Love Niece, Julia

Julia Barnett
May 15, 2023
Condolences I am so sorry

Barbara Walner
May 16, 2023
My deepest sympathies to Ralph Barnett's family. I met Ralph in the 1970s when consulted for a manufacturing company where I was an engineer. He was one of those engineers who inspired me to get my PE license and serve as a consulting engineer. I later had an opportunity to work with Ralph on cases to which he brought clarity and technical excellence. God Speed, Ralph.

Myron Boyajian
May 17, 2023
My deepest condolences to Dolores, Paula, Joel and family. Ralph had such a tremendous impact on my life and I will never forget him. May his memory be for a blessing.

Marna Forbes Sanders Johnston
May 18, 2023
I've learned so much over the years of knowing my Uncle. I've always put safety first among everything with my kids and with everything else in my life. Humor has always been a universal underlying in our family he always made me laugh no matter what was going on in my life that was a wonderful gift he had. We loved to talk about love ones in our past whom were no longer amongst us. Every time I talked to my uncle I always felt he was totally engaged it what ever the topic was. I loved when I could give him something that would light up his heart because it was difficult to buy him things that he didn't already have. I was able to do this on a couple occasions. I loved him so very much he was the only piece of my father I had left. Through him I could still hear my fathers laughter his voice even his appearance and gestures were so much my father. As the years faded more and more with my father's passing my uncle filled that void. My prayers are that he has reunited with his brother and love ones and they are together again. Love and peace to you all I Love you all.

Eva Kulik johnson
May 21, 2023
I was in Professor Barnett's class on Minimum Weight Design at IIT, back about 1969. He was a great teacher, making the material fun, while pushing us to really learn and retain the material. We maintained a professional relationship ever since; via the ASME, the ASME Triodyne Safety Award and Triodyne. He's been an interesting and important person in my life and will live on in my memories. I wish the entire Barnett circle of friends and family the best going forward. Ed Feldy, ASME Fellow and PE.

Edmund Feldy
May 22, 2023