Robert W. Barros III, a pioneer in Catholic education in the DC area, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, surrounded by family at his home in Boynton Beach, FL. Mr. Barros, also known to many as Bob or "Chief," was 91 when he died of heart failure. Bob was born in Auburn, MA to Robert W. Barros Jr. and Marguerite Mogé.

Bob graduated in 1952 with a degree in early childhood and elementary education from Worcester State Teachers College, now Worcester State University. He entered the Marine Corps in July 1952 and following an 18 month deployment in Japan, received an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain. His Marine Corp service defined his character and was a life-long source of pride.

Bob pursued a Masters' degree at the University of Maryland while teaching at the Town and Country School in Silver Spring, MD. With encouragement from his mentor, William Cohen, Headmaster of Town and Country, Bob took the bold step to start his own school, with the mission to provide quality elementary Catholic education to boys. His curriculum emphasized character development, academic achievement and athletic pursuits. In partnership with his wife, Carroll Ann, and with the support of the Archdiocese of Washington, Mater Dei School for boys was opened in 1960 in a renovated barn on Churchill Road in Silver Spring, MD. "Picture it," Mr. Barros once marveled, "I was interviewing the families of prospective students in one of the rooms where they put the mare on one side and the stallion on the other. Those parents had to be courageous." As Mater Dei's reputation and enrollment grew, the school moved, in 1964, to its current campus at 9600 Seven Locks Road in Bethesda, Md.

Bob was a popular Headmaster who knew and remembered the first name of every boy in the school, believing that when a student greeted him, the boy deserved personal recognition in return. He was proud to have educated many notable Washingtonians to include a Catholic bishop, a Supreme Court Justice as well as NBA and NFL players. He served on the boards of both Georgetown Prep and Worcester State University endowing a scholarship for Worcester State students pursuing degrees in education.

In 1985, "in one of the best decisions in the history of the school," Bob gave the reins over to Chris Abell, who had taught at the school since 1971. Ned Williams, a former student at the school and the person who coined the term, "Chief," followed as the next head of school and Billy McMurtrie, also a former student, currently heads the school.

In 1986, Bob and Carroll Ann retired to Florida and upon Carroll Ann's death in 2000, Bob joined the company of many Bethesda friends when he moved to the Delray Dunes Golf and Country Club in Boynton Beach, FL. At Delray Dunes he was a fixture at the early morning men's coffee circle on the back porch of the clubhouse and was quick to make a new set of dear friends.

Always impeccably dressed, Bob took advantage of every new opportunity. Equally at ease sitting in a duck blind on the Chesapeake Bay, playing the Blue Course at Congressional Country Club or riding the rails of The Flying Scotsman, Bob lived fully. He was a huge sports fan and watched or attended all the major events from Super Bowls to the Masters in Augusta. Although he loved boating, boats did not love him and they often broke down, usually when he was on the water. With his school-boy charm and quick wit, he was great company to all who knew him. Through his final days he enjoyed his 5pm vodka martini and was known to love a good cigar and a great book. In reflecting on his life's choices, Bob said, "if you have a question about whether you can do something, just do it; fear is always in the background of anyone who gets it done."

The "Chief" is survived by his children, Mariesa Barros of Washington DC, Carla Barros Woidat (Jim) of Moraga, CA, Stephen Barros (Trish) of Edgewater, MD, Michael Barros (Sonia) of Bethesda, MD, and five grandchildren, Charlie Woidat, Nicholas Barros, Gracie Woidat, Teigan Barros, Peter Barros, as well as his sister in law, Rose Mauro O'Hara and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held October 28, 2022 at 5p ET at the Mater Dei School chapel followed by a reception at the Founder's House (also on the school's campus).

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mr. Barros may be made to Mater Dei School by visiting the memorial page on their website or may be sent directly to Mater Dei School, 9600 Seven Locks Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 and please note "in memory of Bob Barros."