Apr 6, 2007
In the Northwest, Barci is well known for his many passions. Whether it was surfboards, photography, skateboarding, snowboarding, cars, or his work as bike shop owner or salesrep for Seattle Bike Supply, he took on his interests with unbelievable enthusiasm and always at full throttle.
Bob Barci got his start in the bike industry in the early 70’s, helping out his good friend and highschool pal Wally Parcels at Sunshine Bicycles on Orcas Island, on the weekends. By 1974, together they opened the first BIKEFACTORY in Lynnwood, which soon introduced their own brand of folding bike; the PortaBike. For the next 20 years, Bob and Wally operated BikeFactory; and made it one of the Seattle area’s premiere bike and skate shops during the thriving 80’s-selling plastic banana skateboards, urethane wheels and some of the sports’ first BMX bikes.
Also during this time, Barci was an instrumental figure in the earliest days of snowboarding in the Pacific Northwest. Back in 1985, the legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom race was Bob’s brain child (along with Tom Sims). In the 2006 snowboard documentary, titled “Platinum,” Barci is interviewed, and displays the swallow-tail and finned boards they duct-taped their feet to back in the day.
In 1995, Barci joined Seattle Bike Supply, where he assisted his customers in more ways than one throughout the next 12 years. In 2002, the “Year of the fold-up alloy Scooter”, Bob was awarded the prestigious “Employee of the Year” and “Salesman of the Year” by SBS.
Between his love for work, Barci was actively and constantly involved with the Washington State Ski Patrol and his car club. His collection of Subaru’s and a replica AC Cobra have been shown at many car shows around the Northwest.
Bob is survived by his wife Nancy. Friends of Bob have been showing their support and are sharing their best memories on the Bob Barci blog – http://bobbarci.blogspot.com/
Bob Barci-related links to check out:
http://expn.go.com/bankedslalom/2002/s/history.html
http://www.transworldsnowboarding.com/snow/print/0,26727,537010,00.html