Robert Stephen "Steve" Barrett, retired judge in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, died June 12 at age 74 of complications from bladder cancer. A memorial service was held June 20 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Fort Washington.
Born in 1950 in Chestnut Hill to Edith (Hastings) Barrett and Robert Barrett, his family later moved to Oreland, where Barrett graduated from Springfield Township High School in 1969. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Penn State University in 1973, and received his law degree from the University of Toledo in 1976.
Barrett began his professional life with a private law practice in Glenside, then became acting solicitor, and eventually first assistant solicitor for Montgomery County. Ultimately, he was named a judge and served primarily in Family Court.
He was also the leader for the Upper Dublin Township and Montgomery County Republican Committees. Colleagues said he brought empathy and insight to every case and that he truly cared about the humanity of each person who appeared before him in court.
In addition to his unblemished reputation as a fair, dedicated, and thoughtful judge, Barrett also found time to be completely involved in his children's activities. “He did everything in his power to be an involved dad with me and my sister,” his son, Ryan, told the Local. “He came to all my teams' games and was also a Cub Scout leader. That is amazing considering how involved he was as a lawyer and judge, but I thought it was normal. … He took me to many Eagles and Phillies games and was an Eagles season ticket holder. I still have a stack of tickets to Phillies and Eagles games that is six to eight inches thick.”
Kate Morgner, Barrett's daughter, echoed those sentiments. “He definitely put the kids first,” she said last week. “He was my softball and T-ball coach. He would come to my High School softball games. I was also on the softball team at Messiah College, and we made it to a championship game in Wisconsin, a very cool experience. And dad made the trip to come to the game. He was very involved. At the time I probably did not appreciate it, but now I realize how challenging it is to have a demanding career and also be there for all your kids' activities.”
Morgner added, “We had a conversation last year. I said, 'Dad, you have accomplished so much. You have served the community and left us in such a better place because of what you've done. Take a moment to appreciate it. But he never thought he had done enough. He was never satisfied.”
Barrett also had a profound love for dogs, sharing his life with many beloved four-legged companions over the years — Moon Dog, Jenny, Sadie, Tess, Cece, Hailey and Lily.
Steve is survived by his wife, Gwen; daughter Kate Morgner and her husband, J. Morgner; son Ryan and his fianceé, Madison Henry; grandchildren Barrett, Emerson, Brooks, and Quinn; and sister Leslie Nylund. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, readers are asked to consider a donation to the Montgomery County SPCA, an organization close to Barrett's heart: montgomerycountyspca.org. Len Lear can be reached at LenLear@chestnuthilllocal.com.
