Harold J. Barber

H. J. "Hal" Barber departed this world on June 16, 2015. He was born on January 25, 1928 in Kitchener, Ontario Canada to the late Bertram and Edith (Hartman) Barber. The family moved from Kitchener to Pontiac, Michigan where Hal played high school football, tutored neighbors in math, and became an apprentice tool and die maker. Hal attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and he became the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college. Shortly after graduating, Hal met and married Joan Schmidt on October 21, 1950. In January 1951, Hal entered the Army and was deployed as an engineer, testing vehicles and tanks under harsh climate conditions. He and Joan spent much of his Army time in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, with their young daughter. Living conditions were difficult, but they looked upon this experience as an adventure. This would be a pattern they would repeat for the rest of their lives. Every new location was greeted as a new adventure, with new friends to make and places to explore. Hal held a number of positions over the years: an engineer for Continental Aviation in Detroit, an engineering manager for PESCO Products in Cleveland, an engineering manager for Borg-Warner in Wooster, Vice-President for Operations for Buckeye Steel Castings in Columbus, Vice-President for Hamilton Foundry in Hamilton, President of SKF Bearings in Philadelphia, and President of Modulus Corporation in Ligonier. At retirement he became active in the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) where he helped many entrepreneurs realize their dreams of starting their own successful businesses. Hal was a member of Worthington Presbyterian Church where he served as an usher. He was a person of integrity, honesty, and fairness. He was a devoted husband and father, a good neighbor and a friend to many. Hal was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Joan Barber and by his cherished daughter, Cheryl (Barber) Stoor. He is survived by his sons, Scott Barber of Houston, Texas and Jeff Barber (Linda), of Worthington, Ohio; grandchildren Eric Stoor (Heidi), Monroe, LA; Laura Barber-Purvis (Derek), Upper Arlington, OH; and Samantha Barber, Winter Park, FL; and great grandchildren, Noah, Rachel and Gabrielle Stoor and Guinevere Purvis. He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends. A special heartfelt thanks to the caring doctors and nurses of St. Ann's Hospital and to the Mount Carmel Hospice team. Family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Friday, June 19, 2015 at the Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 N. High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085, (614)848-6699. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 1:00 pm, at Worthington Presbyterian Church, 773 High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Worthington Presbyterian Church - Debt Retirement Fund, or to Mount Carmel Foundation - Hospice/Palliative Care, 6150 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43213 ([email protected].)