Kevin Osborne Barnard, 47, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2014 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born in Grundy, Virginia to Mary Virginia Barnard Lester and the late Dr. John William (Bill) Barnard, Sr. He was a loving husband to Doly and a devoted father to Cole and Spencer. He is also survived by his brother, John Barnard, Jr. and his wife Heather, sister, Brooke Barnard, sister, Meg Barnard Clemens and her husband Chris, his grandmother Louise Osborne, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws and loyal friends. Kevin was a graduate of North Cross High School where he made life-long friends. He graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree from Davidson College in 1988 and successfully completed one year of medical school at the Medical College of Virginia before deciding to pursue a career in the law. He received his J.D. from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 1993. Kevin began his legal career in Richmond and joined the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia as an Assistant Attorney General where he served as counsel to officers of the Commonwealth including judges and various state agencies including the Virginia State Bar.

In 2003, Kevin returned to his native Roanoke to join the firm of Frith Anderson and Peake PC. As a partner in the firm, he continued his practice of representing constitutional officers and other state agencies through an appointment as Special Counsel to the Office of Attorney General of Virginia and also had an extensive professional liability practice defending health care providers and lawyers in malpractice actions. Kevin was known for his keen intellect, precise analytical skills and persuasive written and oral advocacy. He brought a pragmatic and thorough approach to his practice. While a tenacious advocate for his clients, he never lost his calm demeanor or professionalism which earned him the immense respect and admiration of his peers, his clients and the tribunals before whom he appeared. Kevin served as a member of the Lawyer’s Malpractice Committee of the Virginia State Bar, was a member of the Roanoke Bar Association, the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, the Virginia State Bar. The Roanoke Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the Ted Dalton American Inn of Court. He was admitted before the Supreme Court of Virginia, the United States District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.

In addition to his family, friends and law career, Kevin especially loved the Christmas season, spending time at Smith Mountain Lake, and listening to music. Kevin was an accomplished musician, an avid runner, and a skilled wood-worker. He had an intelligent sense of humor, an infectious laugh, and was a steadfast friend to many. Kevin was fiercely protective of his wife and mother as well as a wonderful role model for his sons. Kevin was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. He will always be remembered for his intense and heartfelt devotion, respect and love of his wife and children.