In Memoriam: Dr. Robert L. Barret, Cato College of Education Professor Emeritus

Shared by colleague and friend John Nance

The recent passing of Dr. Robert “Bob” Barret brings sadness to family, friends, colleagues, students, alumni, clients, and those throughout the UNC Charlotte Department of Counseling.

Bob leaves an extensive legacy, starting with his three daughters and 10 grandchildren.

He taught at UNC Charlotte in the Department of Counseling for 29 years, retiring in 2008. Colleagues, students, supervisees, clients, and friends too numerous to count heard him teach compassion and authenticity through challenging lessons and transparent communication.

As a practicing psychologist, he impacted countless lives over the course of his career. He worked diligently in his writing, publications, and presentations and co-authored and co-edited four books and over 20 research articles related to counseling issues.

He was an ardent activist for the LGBTQ+ community, regionally and nationally, and played a key role in the development of doctoral studies in multicultural counseling at UNC Charlotte.

In 2007, Dr. Barret spoke on the National Public Radio program This I Believe where he described his personal journey of identity development and acceptance.

You can listen to his account here.

Upon his retirement, university colleagues, former students, and friends endowed the Bob Barret Distinguished Lecture Series in Multicultural Counseling and the annual Bob Barret Award for Distinction in Multicultural Understanding.

The UNC Charlotte Counseling Program expresses profound gratitude to Dr. Bob Barret and all that he offered to our community.

He will certainly be missed.

“…for if I left my integrity at the door, I would not have much to offer other than my presence.”—Dr. Robert Barret, December 3, 2007