Retired teacher overcomes COVID with school community’s support

After about two months in the hospital, Portland man starts physical therapy and new road to recovery

By Franny White March 12, 2021 Portland, OR

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COVID patient Rick Bardes hospital room wall was covered with hand-drawn posters and photos from students, families and colleagues from Bridlemile Elementary, from which he retired in September 2020. (OHSU/Josh Andersen)

COVID-19 patient discharged

Recovering COVID-19 patient Rick Barde and his wife, Juli Barde, spoke with Oregon Health & Science University staff who stopped by to wish him well before he was discharged March 12, 2021, after nearly two months of hospitalization. (OHSU/Josh Andersen)

COVID-19 patient discharged

Rick Barde was visited by his dog, Kugel, at Oregon Health & Science University. Barde was hospitalized for nearly two months, two weeks of which required advanced life support, with a severe case of COVID-19 in early 2021. (Courtesy of Juli Barde)

COVID-19 patient discharged

The Bridlemile Elementary School community created lawn signs with the tagline Barde Strong to show support for Rick Barde, who became gravely ill with the coronavirus in January 2021 after retiring from a 30-year teaching career in September 2020. (Courtesy of Jen Moylan)

COVID-19 patient discharged

Rick Barde congratulates his former third-grade student Joe Moylan, son of Bridlemile PTA President Jen Moylan, at the boys 5th grade graduation in 2019. (Courtesy of Jen Moylan)

COVID-19 patient discharged

Retired teacher Rick Barde, of Portland, was discharged from Oregon Health & Science University March 12, 2021, to the fanfare of dozens of staff who have helped him overcome COVID-19 during the past two months. (OHSU/Josh Andersen)

COVID-19 patient discharged

Oregon Health & Science University hospitalist Stephanie Halvorson, M.D., was among the many people who cared for retired teacher Rick Barde, who was discharged from Oregon Health & Science University March 12, 2021. Barde was also the third-grade teacher of Halvorsons two children. (OHSU/Josh Andersen)

COVID-19 patient discharged

Retired teacher Rick Barde was discharged from Oregon Health & Science University March 12, 2021, to the fanfare of dozens of staff who have helped him overcome COVID-19 during the past two months. (OHSU/Josh Andersen)