Lewis Brinkley Barnett

Lewis Brinkley Barnett, 89, died on May 27, 2023. He was born to the late Theresa and Brinkley Barnett on January 29, 1934, in Lexington, Kentucky. Lewis grew up in Lexington and earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from University of Kentucky, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, ATO, and ODK honorary fraternities. He is survived by his children Elizabeth Ann (Mark) Notess of Knoxville, Tennessee; William Kinne (Teresa) Barnett of Walpole, Massachusetts; Charles Lewis (Michele) of Gambrills, Maryland; and Catherine Grace (Jon Meyers) of Webster Groves, Missouri; grandchildren Hannah (Jon Hiskes), Brian (Adrienne), and Benjamin (Shelby) Notess, Nathan, Tyler, Emma, and Tessa Barnett, Abigail and Olivia Barnett, and Samuel and Jackson Meyers; great-grandchildren Asher, Silas and Luke Notess and Samuel and Theo Hiskes; and sister-in-law Bernadine Ester Farrow of Shawnee, Kansas. Lewis was retired from a long and distinguished career at Virginia Tech, including Professor of Biochemistry and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences. He served on the Blacksburg Planning Commission for 19 years, the Blacksburg Town Council for 12 years, and on the New River Valley Council on Ageing. He loved listening to the opera, running, and bridge, where he was a Life Master. Friends and family are invited to a viewing Tuesday, May 30, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and a service Wednesday, May 31, at 11:00 AM. Both services will be at the McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Lewis’ memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cff.org), National Public Radio, or Public Television.