Brian M. Barch, of Fontana, passed away Dec. 3, 2016, from complications of cancer.
He was born July 26, 1949, in Grosse Pointe, Mich., to the late Chester J. and Kathleen (Muldoon) Barch. He spent his formative years in Rockford, Ill., and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign. Brian was full of purpose. Brian met his wife, Paula, their freshman year, and they married in college. Upon graduation, Brian worked for Union Oil Company of California (UNOCAL), and eventually followed his dream of entrepreneurship when he launched a circuit board manufacturing company.
His greatest business success, however, was establishing American Management Technologies in 2004 with his sister, Caren, his brother, Bruce, and his daughter, Joanna. Brian was a devoted, loving husband and a wonderful, guiding father and grandfather. He valued his business relationships, and counts many in the Midwest manufacturing industry as friends. He loved the small town of Fontana so much that his only child, Joanna, and her family moved to the area in 2015, living across the street, which made him so very happy. Brian loved powerboats, Harley Davidson motorcycles and cooking meals for his family.
Brian is survived by his wife, Paula Lee (Bates), whom he married on Aug. 29, 1970, in Glenview, Ill.; his daughter, Joanna (Mark) Gerard; grandchildren, Liam, Finnian and Moira; his mother, Kathleen; sisters Caren (Robert) Canfield and Erin (Thomas) Bueschel; and brother, Bruce (Theresa) Barch; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Toynton’s Walworth Funeral Home, 328 Kenosha St. The family will be receiving friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Cobblestone Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and dedicated doctors, nurses and community members who have helped them in times of need these past few years. A special thank you to oncologist Shahid Shekhani, at Mercy Janesville and Walworth hospitals; the second-floor staff of Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center and the Fontana-Walworth emergency medical service.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Fellow Mortals Wildlife Hospital, W4632 Palmer Road, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. For more information visit www.Fellowmortals.org.
