R. EARL BARTLEY III, M.D. was born Friday, September 29, 1961, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Robert Earl II and Olis Bartley. “Earl,” as he was called by family and friends, was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (1979-1983). In 1987, Earl earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This Veteran served as a Major in the United States Army Reserve (1990-2001).

In 1992, Earl completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Northwestern University. A year later, he completed his Fellowship in Joint Replacement at Emory University. For over 20 years, Earl practiced Orthopedic Surgery and since 2016, worked with OhioHealth Orthopedic Surgeons in Columbus, Ohio. Named one of Columbus Monthly’s Top Doctors in Columbus and Central Ohio, Earl specialized in hip and knee replacements and total joint and arthritis surgery.

A sports enthusiast since high school, Earl played varsity soccer and lacrosse at Harrisburg Academy and excelled in lacrosse at MIT. His love of athletics inspired him to establish the New Albany Youth Lacrosse Association. Recently, in 2019, he helped to found the Urban Lacrosse Academy to support youth in Central Ohio. Earl was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and also embraced and followed international soccer. Everyone that loved him knew that Earl’s mood was dictated by whether his teams won or lost.

Earl made connections and friends from all walks of life. All that knew him recognized his brilliance, down to earth nature, and zest for life. He is remembered for his generosity; offering his ear, his time, and financial support for close friends and family to achieve their dreams. A lover of travel, his family’s vacation history started with annual trips to Hilton Head and apexed with the engagement of his son, Christopher, in Bordeaux, France. Earl shared his appreciation for “living the good life,” collecting fabulous art, and refining his love of food and wine by sponsoring friend and family trips to Cabo, Europe, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Accompanying him on these and all life’s journeys was his beautiful, best friend, and wife, Trudy Preston Bartley.