Team Dobbins loses valued member

  • Published
  • By Erin Tindell
  • Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga., --  Team Dobbins lost a valued member April 4 when Lt. Col. Ronald Barlow passed away. The colonel was assigned to the 622nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, which is a geographically separated unit of Dobbins located at MacDill AFB.

Colonel Barlow was the chief of medical readiness, ensuring the squadron maintained a mission-ready status at all times, said Colonel Martha Soper, 622nd AES commander. The 51-year-old officer spent most of his 30-year career as a flight nurse, participating in aero-medical evacuation missions caring for injured troops in the battlefield.

Friends described him as a hard charger, go-to officer and above all, a true Southern gentleman.

"[He was] always at the forefront, always at the ready," said Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Weir, a former co-worker. "He will be missed by his family, friends and the thousands of Soldiers yet to be injured who will not have the benefit of his care."

"Unit members looked to him for guidance, mentoring and his ability to make everyone feel valued," said Colonel Soper. "His 30 years of experience will leave a great void for our unit. He will be missed for all of these qualities, as an officer, mentor, and friend."

A memorial service was held April 7 in Gainesville, Fla.