Credit: John J Bryers Funeral Home.
R. Stephen Barrett, a retired judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and longtime public servant, died on June 12 at age 74 after complications from bladder cancer. Known for his dedication to justice and compassion for children and families, Judge Barrett passed away at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Appointed to the bench in 1999 and retained in 2009, Barrett served in Family and Juvenile Court until his retirement in 2020. Colleagues recall his empathy and sense of fairness, particularly in emotionally fraught cases involving divorce, child custody, and support. He frequently collaborated with county agencies to ensure comprehensive support for families and was known for agonizing over difficult decisions. “He put in blood, sweat, and tears as a judge,” said his wife, Gwen.
Before his judicial career, Barrett spent two decades in county government, including service as first assistant solicitor and a brief tenure as acting solicitor. He handled complex legal matters such as employment discrimination and the closure of Pennhurst State School and Hospital. Outside the courtroom, he was active in Republican Party leadership in Montgomery County and Upper Dublin Township.
Barrett mentored many, attorneys, parents, and young people alike, and brought humor and warmth to his work. “We were all lucky to have him,” one colleague said. His family remembers him as a man who sought justice and cared deeply about doing what was right.
Born in Chestnut Hill on Sept. 13, 1950, Barrett grew up in Springfield Township. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Penn State and a law degree from the University of Toledo. He met his wife Gwen as a teenager in Ocean City, N.J., and they later settled in Oreland, Upper Dublin Township, raising two children, Kate and Ryan.
Beyond the courtroom, Barrett coached youth sports, led Boy Scout activities, followed Philadelphia’s sports teams, and enjoyed real estate ventures and time in Ocean City. He was remembered as a devoted father, neighbor, and friend—someone with integrity, a sense of humor, and a passion for community.
“He was very involved and a good teacher,” said his son. “He really valued our family,” added his daughter.
