Dr. Robert Vance “Bob” Jarrett (Ret. Colonel US Army), age 67, passed away surrounded by loving family at 12:07 AM, Monday, July 3, 2017, at home in Hatley, MS, after a three-year battle with liver cancer. Bob was born on February 12, 1950, in Independence, KS, to Robert P. and Betty J. (Johnson) Jarrett, formerly of Durant, OK. Bob was the grandson of the late Bill and Thelma Barker and the nephew of Joe and Mecy Barker, Durant. He retired as a Colonel from the US Army in 1999, and as Vice President of Medical Affairs, Mednax Services, Inc. in 2015. He graduated from Duluth, MN, East HS but has always been considered a member of the Independence, KS, HS Class of 1968. Bob worked on the USS Great Lakes Ore Boats (John G. Munson and Phillip R. Clarke) during college summer breaks. He graduated with a BA in Zoology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His medical training and experience consisted of graduation with honors as the highest scholastic average from Kirksville, MO, College of Osteopathic Medicine (on a health professions scholarship from the US Army); Pediatric Internship and Residency at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, where he later served as Chief of Medicine, Pediatrics and Neonatology; and, a Neonatology Fellowship at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, where he served as Chief of the Department of Pediatrics. He served on numerous hospital staffs in Boise, ID, and Las Vegas, NV.
Dr. Jarrett also served as an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine, the University of Washington School of Medicine, the University of Nevada School of Medicine, and at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. From 1996-99, he was the Pediatric Consultant to the Office of The Army Surgeon General. He was Board Certified in Pediatrics from the American Board of Pediatrics and in Neonatology/Perinatal Medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics. He was a member of several professional societies, the recipient of many medical honors, and the author or co-author of numerous manuscripts, abstracts, and national lectures and presentations.
Col. Jarrett served honorably and with distinction for over 22 years in the US Army where he served in Germany during Operation Desert Storm. His last duty station was at Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, WA. His many awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, 2nd Award; Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, 2nd Award. His uniform is on display at the Tupelo Veteran’s Museum, Tupelo, MS.
Bob loved the game of baseball which he played on scholarship at Carleton College (MN) and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Bob played in the senior men’s hardball league from 1997 to the present. During his tenure as right fielder for the famous Washington Titans, he won 7 gold medals, 7 silvers and 8 bronzes in the Roy Hobbs Baseball World Series. Most years he led his team in extra base hits due to his fast base running. He had a lifetime batting average over .350. Bob was also an avid NASCAR fan and an accomplished still photographer.
Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret N. Watkins, MD, Hatley, MS; two sons, Michael and Brian, San Francisco, CA; three daughters, Sarah, Denver, CO, Hiliary (Kristan) Godbeer, Phoenix, AZ, and Jessica Watkins, Memphis, TN; sister Alexis Jarrett (Victor O’Yek, MD), Schererville, IN; brother Les (Kathy) Jarrett, Indianapolis, IN; parents Robert P. (Pat) and Betty J. Jarrett, Indianapolis, IN; brother-in-law Richard (Butch) and Judy Newton, Beaumont, TX.; grandchildren Jeremy and Rachael Horvat; and many dear friends and relatives around the country.
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Bob was a freshman on 2nd Musser. He was a very good baseball player and played for Mel on the baseball team. He was a good student. He transferred back to Missouri before graduation.