Walt Barbee’s dream is finally fulfilled
by FPN President Joe Glover – 10/31/05
Virginia families lost one of our greatest advocates recently when long time pro-family activist, Walt Barbee, went home to be with his Lord after a long battle with cancer.
After serving as a Captain in the Navy Reserve, Walt Barbee worked as a commercial airline pilot for American Airlines. In the late 70′s, becoming frustrated with the liberal trends he was seeing in state and local government, he acted on those concerns by forming a non-profit organization in Fairfax County, which he named “Virginians for Family Values.”
Traveling throughout the Commonwealth, Walt spoke to Christian groups and churches about his dream of activating believers to bring Christian values into the public square. His message was simple: “Knowledge without action is useless.” Fortunately, many people responded to Walt’s challenge and joined him, making a lasting difference in Virginia politics.
Walt helped many believers join the battle for hearts in the public square, and soon set his sights on the General Assembly in Richmond. Eventually, he renamed his organization “The Family Foundation” (TFF) and moved its operation to Richmond, where it continues to be a flagship for traditional values in the Virginia legislature.
Once TFF was well established in Richmond, Walt stepped away from direct involvement in the organization to spend more time with family and enjoy his retirement. Nevertheless, he continued to make a difference in politics in ways most people didn’t see. One example of his work behind the scenes was the key role Walt played in the formation of Family Policy Network (FPN).
Beginning in 1997, Walt volunteered several hours of his time to give me advice on establishing FPN as a non-profit corporation. His wise counsel has proved to be vital to the long-term success of FPN. He selflessly drew on his successes and failures when establishing TFF years earlier. Walt knew what worked and what didn’t, and he often helped by allowing me to, in a sense, stand on his shoulders.
Walt’s greatest contribution to FPN was the unparalleled encouragement he provided in the difficult early years of our existence. He knew just what to say to lift our spirits when times were tough and resources were few. Without being asked, Walt even became one of our earliest monthly financial contributors. He said he understood how tough it could be to pay the bills when first trying to get things off the ground. He was always available to give encouragement, advice and support because he was a true friend and mentor.
As significant as his help was to FPN, it represents just a fraction of the impact Walt Barbee had on pro-family causes in recent years. Not only did he provide assistance to a number of campaigns and organizations he believed in, but he also continued to work on several projects aimed at helping other Christians make a difference. Walt was working to create a candidate scorecard web site for the 2003 General Assembly elections when he first became ill. He also developed a presentation to generate greater citizen involvement in politics that he hoped to present in churches once he regained his health.
On August 11, Walt Barbee’s dream of living in a God-honoring land became a reality when he went home to be with his Lord. Walt finally knows the joy of living in a city whose maker and builder is God, surrounded by citizens who consistently proclaim their love for His laws in Heaven.
A memorial service was held for Walt Barbee at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, Virginia at 11:00 on October 31, 2005. Internment was held at Arlington National Cemetery at 2:30 that afternoon, which was the earliest date that it could be scheduled there.