Dr. Richard Barta

Dr. Richard Arthur Barta, D.V.M. Independence, Ks passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, from a farming accident at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the Wesley Center, 111 East Maple, at 11:00am, internment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 20th, family will be greeting friends from 5:00-7:00pm at Webb & Rodrick Chapel. Memorials are suggested to AWOL, FORPAZ and the KSU Foundation “Dr. Richard A. Barta Memorial Fund”. They can be left with the funeral home. The service will be live streamed with the First Methodist Church.

Richard  Barta, aka Doc, was born on September 9th, 1944 in Hastings, Nebraska. He was the son of Robert and Shirley (Stewart) Barta. He was raised in Red Cloud, Nebraska and graduated high school in 1962. He went to Kansas State University, receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree  in 1968.

On March 25, 1967 he married the love of his life,  Joy Yung, in Guide Rock, Nebraska. After graduation  from K-State they made their home in Independence, Kansas. He began his veterinarian career at Dr. Robert Hayes' clinic for four years before opening the Barta Animal Hospital in 1972. He added the Pet Shop in the late 1980’s. He was accompanied at work with his favorite monkey Gizmo for 26 years. He passed in 2016.

Dr. Barta was a member  of the First United Methodist Church, a life member of the American Veterinarian Medical Association, and  Kansas Veterinarian Medical Association.  He was appointed by the governor and served 6 years on the Kansas Campanion Animal Advisory Board.  He also served 8 years on the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners.  He was honored by the KVMA  receiving the President's Award in 2006 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2012.  He was involved with the starting of AWOL in Independence and served on the Advisory Board for the ICC Veterinary Technology program.

He loved spending time with his family, camping, four wheeling in Colorado plus other travel and cruises. and in his spare time he raised cattle.   He was an avid K-State football fan and he always had a joke to tell.  He loved all animals, his passion began in the 8th grade….he knew he would someday become a veterinarian.  Doc loved his chosen career and never considered it a job.

Preceding him in death were his parents and granddaughter Kacee McDade.

Those left to cherish his memory are wife Joy, sons: Darin (Cindy) Barta and Travis (Kimberly) Barta; grandchildren:  Lucas Barta,  Eric (Michelle) McDade, TeeJay (Chasidy) McDade , and five great-grandchildren: Damien, Rebecca, Hailey, Jonah and Tanner and sister Kiley (Rick) Harris. Plus several exchange students the Barta's hosted through the years.  He will also be missed by many friends and the 4 legged friends he took care of for over 50 years.