Anthropologist. She was a prominent archaeologist who did research in both the Philippines (on the origins of agriculture) and North America (on the prehistoric Fort Ancient people). She had numerous publications, often in prestigious journals such as Current Anthropology. Barbara trained her students so well that archaeology companies loved to hire them. Having been trained by Barbara was a guarantee of one's expertise, dedication, and ethics. She was born January 22, 1950 in Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky to Ralph Henry Thiel from Kentucky and Mary Rose Thiel from Louisiana. Barbara was the third of seven children, growing up Roman Catholic in Park Hills in Kenton County. With so many brothers, she grew up a tomboy. At her mother's instruction, she became an excellent seamstress. As a student Barbara attended Saint Agnes School, graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Covington, attended Northern Kentucky University, and got her BA degree in anthropology from the University of Kentucky. She was awarded her MA degree in anthropology from the University of Missouri and her PhD in anthropology from the University of Illinois. She was a professor of anthropology at Northern Kentucky University from 1979 until her death, teaching more than a dozen different courses, including the annual archaeology field school. Barbara was a winner of the prestigious Strongest Influence Award, presented by the NKU Alumni Association. On August 14, 2014 Barbara posthumously won the NKU College of Arts and Sciences' Spark Award. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Mary Thiel, brother Jim Thiel, and her sister Donna Thiel who died in childhood. Barb is survived by her siblings; Tom Thiel, Paul Thiel, John Thiel (Evelyn), Elizabeth Thiel Dardzinski (Dennis), and nieces and nephew Nicholas Thiel, Clara Thiel, and Dawn Cloyd. Barbara died at home in Alexandria, Campbell County, Kentucky on September 12, 2013 at age 63. Her funeral service was September 16 at Middendorf Funeral Home in Fort Wright, Kenton County. A large number of her family, co-workers, and students attended. She was cremated. A memorial service at Northern Kentucky University was held on November 19, 2013. Her grave is in Saint John Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kenton County near the graves of her parents and siblings.