Frank "Bob" Joseph Bartos

Bob Bartos was born June 4, 1913 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Frank Joseph Bartos and Claire May (Bouck) Bartos. He came to be known as Bob Bartos when his Grandmother tired of having he and his father responding when she called for Frank.
Bob’s parents were in real estate. They did a great deal of traveling. Bob attended school in 13 different states. Bob attended his first dog show in 1924 and fell in love with Wire Fox Terriers. Bob’s first dog was a German Shepherd he bought with his own money.
While working as a shoe salesman Bob met and fell in love with Mary Jane McLean declaring to himself on his first sighting that was who he would marry. Indeed they married three years later in 1933 when she turned 18. They were married 74 years until her death in 2007. They had three children, Mary Jo Palermo, Judith C. Green, Michael T. Bartos, nine grandchildren, fourteen Great Grandchildren and three Great-Great Grandchildren.
Bob and Jane decided they would like to show dogs. Though he was looking for a Wire he came across a litter of good Scotties and bought a bitch he named Scotsmuir Enterprise, but calling her “Judy.”
Bob learned presentation and grooming by watching his competitors. He was self-taught, possessed a keen mind, strong memory and was a life-long learner. As Bob met many people and gained respect he was invited to become the kennel manager/handler for Ted Bennett’s Deephaven Scottie Kennels. From this beginning of a career Bob managed many kennels, as many as four at a time, including Worrhane and Wooding. Over the years Bob bred Cockers, Beagles, Wire Fox Terriers, Sealyhams, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers, Standard Poodles, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. One of the kennels he managed produced the Golden Retriever that won the first National hunting trial. He continued his involvement in breeding, handling a variety of dogs and contributing to the development of hunting trials.
In 1947, E. H. Stuart, CEO and majority owner of Carnation Company invited Bob to become Director of the Friskies Pet Food Division of Carnation Company. Bob, Jane and their family moved to Carnation, Washington. Bob and Mr. Stuart developed a close professional relationship rooted in candor and trust. Mr. Stuart was a sportsman who loved the Scottish Terrier, a breed dear to Bob’s heart. Bob continued to breed and show these dogs while managing the development of Friskie dog and cat food at Carnation Farms which included managing up to 350 dogs and 500 cats in the Carnation kennels.
International dog fancier, artist and author properly characterized Bob’s interest in Scotties when she wrote, “Of all the breeds Bob became involved with, Scotties were the one dearest to his heart and the breed with which he had the greatest success. When asked why Scotties had so much appeal for him, Bob said, ‘Scotties are an honest dog. They don’t tell you that you’re great – you have to prove it to them. They are independent souls and one of the hardest breeds to show. They’re a contradiction both in structure and personality. You must sell them on the idea that showing is a good idea.”
Bob’s honorary life-time membership in the Scottish Terrier Club reflected his breeding, handling, competitive success but also his contribution to the advancement of the Scottish Terrier Breed. Bob managed many great Scotties including Ch. Golden Girl, the first Wheaton Scottie to win Best in Show. He considered Ch. Red Seal and Ch. Bingo the two best Scotties Bob was privileged to manage. Red Seal produced Ch. Fanfare, the fourth Scottie to win Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden. In 1967 Bob took Ch. Bingo to Best in Show at Westminster and since then three of Bingo’s progeny were Westminster Best in Show winners, including the latest, Sadie. Scotties have won the Westminster show eight times surpassed only by Wired Hair Fox Terriers.
Recently Bob was asked what he considered his greatest accomplishment. His answer, “I advanced the breed!” On another occasion when a family member was heralding his 1967 win at Westminster, Bob responded, “Bingo won Westminster. It was not about me. It was getting the best out of Bingo.” Before Sadie’s Westminster win, her handler, Gabriel Rangel brought her to Bob for evaluation and counsel. Bob saw in Gabriel a professional who was committed to the same key principles that guided Bob throughout his career and were the hallmark of his international reputation for excellence as a breeder/handler. Bob gave Gabriel the leather lead he had used with Bingo at Westminster in 1967. Gabriel used that lead at Westminster with Sadie and in 2014, when he took “Sky” a Wired Hair Fox Terrier to Best In Show at Westminster.
Bob retired in 1979, to devote himself to taking care of Jane who had been his faithful companion, eyes and ears in the dog world and unwavering supporter. In 2000 they sold their Bellevue home and moved to Poulsbo, Washington to be closer to family.
When Jane died in 2007, the dog world was reminded of Bob and soon many articles and contacts with present day breeders/handlers were undertaken. When he was 96 he attended the largest terrier dog show, Montgomery County Terrier Dog Show in Pennsylvania. From the moment he set foot on the show grounds he was recognized and for the 7 hours he was on site there was a steady stream of professionals and amateurs that entered an unplanned line to come by, meet Bob Bartos and receive a word of encouragement.
In the past seven years Bob tapped into a long-time love for cars and became an active participant in the Wednesday morning meeting of “The Donut Gang,” making many new friends. Though he could not drive he bought a 1936 Ford Fordor Convertible Sedan just like the one he and Jane had in 1936. He also became active in The Olympic Vintage Auto Club. His new friends through the car-world became fans who loved to spend time with Bob.
Bob’s core value was his family. He and Jane were private people who did not pursue fame nor fortune. He recently told a class of children when asked to what he attributed his longevity, “I never worried about the things I could not control. I did my best with the things I could control.” So it was that Bob lived a full life contributing to the joys and experiences of many. He did his best and now is at peace.
His family and friends will celebrate the blessing of his life on April 9, 2014 at Rill Chapel, Port Orchard, Washington, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Online memorial at www.rill.com .