Robert Barone Presents “Il Risorgimento” at April Meeting of Amici d’Italia

Robert Barone was born in Cranston, Rhode Island. His father was a first generation American born of Italian parents and his mother was French Canadian. Bob graduated from Providence College and went on to attend the University of Bologna Medical School in Italy. He chose Bologna University for its great reputation and for the chance to experience the culture and history of Italy.

When he returned to Rhode Island for summer vacation after his first year, he visited a classmate and there he met the fellow’s sister, Marie. They began dating and married after he graduated from Bologna. Bob and Marie made their first home in New Haven, Connecticut, where he completed his 3-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

It was during these years that their first two sons were born. After finishing his residency, the family moved back to Rhode Island so Bob could open his office. The family grew by another two sons and two daughters. After 30 years of practice, Bob retired. He and Marie first moved to Oregon 18 years ago, to Nehalem and then to Grants Pass, to help their oldest daughter while she went through her own residency.

They returned to Rhode Island for five years before their youngest daughter called and asked “the traveling babysitters” to move to Portland. They have been here ever since. When their oldest son became a professor of history at the University of Alabama, Bob’s interest in history was renewed.

He has studied extensively and enjoys presenting lectures, especially on the history and culture of Italy. He is also an accomplished cook and has already demonstrated for the Amici how to make gnocchi with red vodka sauce. Bob will be presenting a lecture on Il Risorgimento, or “Rising Again,” the 19th-century movement for Italian unification that culminated in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Due to Holy Thursday falling on the first Thursday this month, the Amici d’Italia meeting has been moved to April 8th. The meeting will start at 7:30pm. The location is Balestra Hall in St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 424 SW Mill Street, in downtown Portland.