On Monday, January 29th, Kevin Gilbert Bartes passed away with his wife at his side at the age of 63.
Born March 6, 1954, Kevin grew up in rural Nebraska. He met the love of his life and eventual wife of 46 years, Binji, while still in grade school. After graduating high school, Kevin proudly served aboard nuclear submarines in the US Navy for eight years.
After an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1982, Kevin stayed in the nuclear energy industry, working with Commonwealth Edison in Illinois and Exelon in Pennsylvania, before semi-retiring and moving to Arizona in 2005 in order to be closer to his sons and grandchildren. Once in Arizona, he started his own nuclear energy consulting firm, Kevin Bartes & Associates. This career change allowed him to travel and work in such places as Great Britain, Russia, Germany, Denmark, and Brazil. He loved the freedom that owning his company gave him to enjoy so much time with his wife, two sons, and six grandchildren.
Kevin is survived by his wife Binji Bartes (Ritter); sons, Christopher R. (Gina M. Moe) of Peoria, Arizona and Justin Lee (Lisa M. Sandoval) of Queen Creek, Arizona; grandchildren, Cale Kristofer, Cora Jane, Clara Cate, Jacob Kevin, Soleil Marie and Quin Noelle. Survivors also include: Kevin’s mother, JoAnne Bartes-Whale nee Koci of Mesa, Arizona; one brother, Mark (Terri) Yeager of Texas; a foster child Annalee Grineau; three sisters, Cindi (Rick) Paulus of Aubrey, Texas; Nancy (Mike) Worster of Lincoln, Nebraska and Kimberly Epps also of Lincoln.
He was preceded in death by his father, James M. Bartes of Hastings, Nebraska; maternal grandfather, Vaclav (James) Koci and grandmother, Anna Lucille Koci nee Pochop- Bednar of Hebron, Nebraska; paternal grandparents, James M. Bartes and Sophie R. Bartes nee Vsetecka of Bellwood, Nebraska; sister Lauri of Lincoln, Nebraska; father and mother-in-law, Robert G. Ritter and Betty E. (Lytle) of Sheridan, Wyoming.
Services for Kevin will be held in Queen Creek, AZ on February 10, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kevin can be made to the ASPCA by choosing “memorial gift” at ASPCA.org , or to the Barrow Neurological Foundation at https://www.supportbarrow.org/KevinBartes.