Writer, editor, historian, CSWA member Bob Barton passes away
Bob Barton, one of the longest-tenured and most highly-respected sports media members in Connecticut, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019. He was 83.
A Farmington resident and 1957 graduate of Yale University, Barton was a writer and copy editor for 29 years with the New Haven Register and New Haven Journal Courier. He took delight in reporting Bulldogs football, establishing himself as a knowledgeable historian of the school's gridiron past, and also covered thousands of high school games over the years.
Barton was an active member of the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance for many years, and received the organization's Art McGinley Award for meritorious service in 2002.
Following the passing of past Alliance president Bo Kolinsky in 2003, Barton chaired the Bo Kolinsky Memorial Scholarship committee through 2017. The scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior planning to major in sports journalism or media.
Barton retired from the newspaper in 1996 but continued to be involved with the profession until his passing.
He was the co-editor of the Connecticut High School Football Record Book, was a voting member of the New Haven Register’s top 10 football poll, wrote a popular column called catching up in the 1990s and 2000s and was an editor and/or writer for several historical projects done by the New Haven Register’s sports team including Hometown Heroes, Sports of the 20th Century and 200 at 200 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the New Haven Register.
He was a frequent contributor to Yale University's football program, too, writing and editing stories for their game day programs.
Read more about Barton’s contributions.
Above, Bob Barton and Bo Kolinsky Scholarship winner at the 2015 Gold Key banquet in Southington. Photo at Yale Bowl courtesy of Yale University Sports Information.
