May 1, 2002
By John Diedrich, The Gazette

Brig. Gen. Bruce Barlow, deputy commanding general of Fort Carson and the 7th Infantry Division, died Tuesday while on temporary duty at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Neb.

It appears Barlow died of natural causes, but the Army must investigate because he was alone when he died, said Lt. Col. Shelly Stellwagen, spokeswoman for Fort Carson. She didn't know what Barlow was doing or where he was when he died.

Barlow, 51, had no obvious physical problems, Stellwagen said. He ran with the command group every morning at Fort Carson.

"This is definitely an unexpected death," Stellwagen said. "It shocked us all."

Barlow, who also was deputy commanding general of the Fifth United States Army, was at Offutt for classroom training, Stellwagen said.

Barlow will be replaced by Brig. Gen. F. Joseph Prasek.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Barlow family in this difficult time," Maj. Gen. Charles Campbell, 7th Infantry Division and Fort Carson commander, said in a statement. "General Barlow was a valuable member of the Mountain Post team and we will miss him."

Barlow, a 1972 West Point graduate, had been stationed at Fort Carson since August 2000 and was a crusader for the Army's goal of improving National Guard readiness, said Stellwagen, who knew Barlow for 10 years.

"He was exceptionally down to earth, a great communicator and a tireless advocate for soldiers," she said.

Barlow is survived by his wife, Sandra; a son, 1st Lt. Christopher Barlow; and a daughter, Kelly Barlow.

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