Robert W. BarrowsReal Estate Broker, diesby Joanne Johnson, Hartford Courant Staff, Wednesday, 15February, 1989Robert W. Barrows, one of the state's most prominent real estatebrokers and politicians, died Monday of a heart attack at 61. Atthe time of his death, Barrows was president of the RWB Co. inWest Hartford, which he founded in 1983. Barrows, of WestHartford, was a "very aggressive and competitive Realtor who wason the leading edge of real estate in everything from salestechnique to marketing," Lynda M. Blacque, president of theGreater Hartford Association of Realtors Inc., said Tuesday.West Hartford Mayor Christopher F. Droney, who knew Barrows forabout 25 years, said: "He was a true leader in politics, bothlocally and on the state level. Many of us learned a lot fromBob on progressive and liberal issues like affordable housing,integration of schools and welfare reform."In 1959, with Robert C. Wallace, Barrows founded the Barrows andWallace Co. real estate company in West Hartford. The companyopened offices throughout Connecticut, dealing primarily withresedential real estate, and eventually became one of thestate's largest real estate brokers. Barrows resigned from thefirm in 1966. The company had 17 offices when it closed in 1980during a slowdown in the housing industry. After hisresignation, Barrows founded and became president of the BarrowsCo. of West Hartford. In the late 1970s, the Barrows Co. becameone of the first in the country to be taken over by MerrillLynch stockbrokers.Barrows served as a Democratic state representatvie from the13th District in 1969 and 1970, serving on the education,corrections, and public welfare and humane institutionscommittees. He ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 1970.Barrows served on the West Hartford Town Council in 1961 and wasa member of the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee. Hebecame state chairman of the Caucus of Connecticut Democrats in1969. Droney said Barrows was "the conscience of the DemocraticParty in West Hartford."Barrows was active in the United Way, Access TV of West Hartfordand the West Hartford and Greater Hartford chambers of commerce.He was a member of the board of directors at Landmark Bank andbelonged to the Universalist Church in West Hartford. Heattended the Loomis School in Windsor. He graduated from TrinityCollege in Hartford in 1950, when he was named "Man of the Year"there. He received a master's degree at Washington University inSt. Louis, and graduated from Harvard Business School inCambridge, Mass. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Hewas an avid golf, baseball, football and squash player.A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at theUniversalist Church of West Hartford. 433 Fern St., WestHartford. Burial is to be private at the family's convenience.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Barrows. Robert W. Barrows, 61, husband of Lois (Hunt) Barrows,of West Hartford, died Monday (Feb. 13, 1989) at St. FrancisHospital & Medical Center, Hartford. Born in Hartford, he was alife long resident of West Hartford. He was the founder andpresident of the local real estate firm, the RWB Company. A U.S.Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of theUniversalist Church of West Hartford. Besides his wife, he issurvived by two sons, Robert H. Barrows, of Harrisville, N.H.,Frank C. Barrows of Laramie, Wyo.; a daughter, Joan L. Barrowsof Peterborough, N.H.; three brothers, John C. Barrows of WestHartford, Lawrence H. Barrows of Canton, and Daniel H. Barrowsof West Hartford; five sisters, Shirley Barrows Price ofSacramento, Calif.; Elizabeth Barrows Goodwin of Calabash, N.C.,Patricia Barrows Gates of Kinsale, Va., Suzanne Barrows Price ofAurora, Colo., and Catherine Barrows Bencks of Glastonbury; fivegrandchildren; several nieces and nephews. A memorial servicewill be Thursday, 11 a.m., at the Universalist Church of WestHartford, 433 Fern St. West Hartford, with the Rev. Paul H.Bicknell officiating. Burial will be private and at theconvenience of the family. Friends may call at the Taylor &Modeen Funeral Home, 136 S. Main St., West Hartford, today, 2-4and 7-9 p.m. Memorial contributions, in his memory, may be madeto Trinity College, 300 Summit St., Hartford, 06106.
