Barnett was a sensitive man with a dry wit who “liked to call a spade a spade.”
Even after retirement in December 1966, Bamett remained active as a consultant on urban highways. He joined in the general debate on mass transit development in urban areas. His 1970 paper on “Express Bus Mass Transit” presented a review of the various forms of transit and outlined a practical concept for improving service through expanded facilities.
He belonged to the Tau Beta Pi honorary engineering society and was an active member of the American Society for Civil Engineers. He received the ASCE Arthur M. Wellington Prize in 1949. Upon his retirement he was awarded a citation by AASHO.
Until his death in Roslyn, New York, on September 30, 1973, he believed that better highways can and should be produced through the design process. His philosophy was that clear principles and guides should be formulated ; however, their application should not be by rote, but by thoughtful adaptation to the specific conditions.
“A complete highway incorporates not only safety, utility and economy,” he once wrote, “but beauty as well.”
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