Robert Leon Steven Barcikowski

ATHENS – Robert Leon Steven Barcikowski, 76, Ohio University professor emeritus born in Buffalo, New York residing in Athens, Ohio died peacefully September 28, 2018 in his home.
Born April, 19, 1942 in Buffalo New York. He was the son of the late Leo and Lillian (Shulick) Barcikowski. In 1964 Robert received his Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Buffalo. In 1970 he went on to receive his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Statistics-Measurement). In January of 1969, he and his family moved to Athens where he began his 43 year teaching career at Ohio University in the School of Educational Research, Statistics and Evaluation. In 1978 Robert received a Fullbright scholarship and taught at the University of Ife, Nigeria where his love for international work and travel began. While representing Ohio University in Lesotho (1993-95,) Robert served as the Primary Education Measurement Advisor to the Ministry of Education, and in Namibia (1996-98), he played a central role in helping to develop Namibia's national continuous assessment policy for grades K-12. Robert served as President of the Mid-Western Educational Research Association (2002-2003) and was the Program Chair in 2001 where he was responsible for that year’s conference. Robert also served as the Director for the School of Applied Behavioral Sciences and Educational Leadership (1986- 1990).
While Robert was the author of multiple publications and books on applied statistics, there was one article he was particularly proud of as it has become important in more recent years with the new popularity of a statistical technique called multilevel modeling. His 1981 article, Statistical Power with Group Mean as the Unit of Analysis in the Journal of Educational Statistics, 6(3), 267-285. This article has been frequently cited because of its relevance to a statistical method that only became popular in the last 10-15 years. As many know, Robert was often ahead in his field of study.
In addition to Robert’s love of statistics, he also loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was an avid golfer at the Athens Country Club, a lover of wine- with trips around the world to do tastings and he enjoyed many gourmet meals with the Gourmet Group (50 yrs +) with his longtime friends from Athens. Robert enjoyed his poker and bridge groups which he would comment kept his friends on their toes with his strategic math mind.
A loving and devoted father and Papa, Robert was preceded in death by his late wife, Elizabeth (Waters) Barcikowski; survived by his daughters and sons in law: Jill and Rich Horner of Buffalo; Nicole Barcikowski and Ross McIntosh of Virginia and son Elliott Barcikowski of Utah; grandchildren Grace Aniela, Jacob Nicholas Buczak of Buffalo, Kennedy Grace, Jack Robert and Ryan Elizabeth McIntosh of Virginia; sister and brother in law Mary and Leonard Brown of Buffalo, niece Christine White and nephew Steven Brown of Buffalo.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday October 6th at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, followed by a celebration of his life at the Athens Country Club. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Beth Barcikowski (Mrs. B's) Science Fund to maintain a science laboratory at East Elementary School.
The Beth Barcikowski (Mrs. B's) Science Fund
J. Warren McClure Foundation
Athens Education Foundation, Inc.
25 South Plains Road
The Plains, OH 45780-0068
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at our website www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.