Obituary: Eric Barnard
Beloved business owner Eric Barnard surrendered to a thermal illness on March 16, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.
Eric was born on February 15, 1962 in Spokane, Wash. to Glenn & Mary Ann Barnard. His early years were spent in Ketchikan, Alaska. Then his family settled in Riggins, Idaho, where Eric called home. Eric lettered in track, basketball and football. He also participated in student government. He graduated in 1980.
After graduation, Eric headed to Nevada, where he learned his skills in excavation and mining. He worked for SM&S, where he met his current business partner Steve Neilsen. As a young man, Eric became a foreman for SM&S, and instructed over a hundred men at the Elder Creek Project.
Eric had a wonderful ability to run crews of men; which helped to shape him in his endeavors for the future.
During this time Eric had married Laurel Lamb in 1985. They had two children Samantha (Todd) Hatch & Brice Barnard. They divorced in 2002. They lived in Nevada and Washington State. Eric was brought to the harbor as the project manager for Stemple Whievel House on the Bluff Project in Aberdeen, Wash. Eric stayed in Washington where he returned to college to earn his AA in Business. He then owned a gas station called the Liberty Exxon for 9 years. He loved the northwest for its fishing. He loved the water and he owed 3 boats; which he said was never enough. In 2005 Eric worked for Grays Harbor Paper, as a shipping supervisor; running trucks all over the United Stated distributing paper products.
In 2008 Eric married Ria Bowman. Taking her back to his 1st love “NEVADA”. Eric’s need to be a successful entrepreneur, he then started 2 businesses’ with his best friend Steve Neilsen. They created Envirotech Drilling LLC and Neilsen Barnard Drilling & Blasting Inc.in Winnemucca, Nv. As gold prices rose they worked for companies like Premier Gold, Western Exploration, Klondex, Kinross Gold, NuLegacy, Gold Odyessey, Owyee Gold, Barrack Gold, and many more projects. Neilsen Barnard Drilling & Blasting Inc. has become a trucking company in Apache Junction Az. They distribute coast to coast hitting all the lower 48 states, even into Canada.
With all that Eric had left behind; shows his true natural ability he had to build business, run crews and empower people to grow. He will be terribly missed by all that knew him.
Eric is survived by his wife Ria Barnard of Apache Junction, AZ, daughter Samantha (Todd) Hatch of Lakeside, Ca, son Brice Barnard of Winnemucca, Nv, granddaughter Emma Hatch (7) and grandson Beau Hatch (4). Step son’s Shawn (Shelly) Ziemba & Benjamin Hanson of Vancouver Wa, step daughters Tiffany Bowman of Tacoma Wa, Megan (Chris) Judy of Winnemucca Nv., Step grandson Zayden Dean (3), Brother Mark (Bethany) Barnard of South Bend, Wa, a niece Jessica Barnard of Carlin, Nv, sister Teresa (Sam) Emadi of Layton, Ut, and nephews Sam Emadi, Matthew Emadi and Michael Emadi.
Eric is leaving many aunts, uncles and cousins and friends so close he would call them family. He loved his family and cherished them all.
Anyone that knew Eric, recognized him by his height & stature. But most attractive quality was his striking blue eyes. Being the generous person he was; made a physical donation to San Diego Eye Bank, to help someone see the world as he had. Eric also donated his mind to the Science Care Center in LA. Where it will go toward ALS Research. There will be a Celebration of Life in his home town of Riggins, Idaho at a later date.