Thursday, January 26, 2023
Condolences to Mr. Barr’s family and friends. Just learned of his passing. Mr. Barr was my basketball coach and algebra teacher in Meyersdale Pa. My family knew his beautiful wife Patti while growing up. Mr. Barr left a lasting impression in my life as not only a wonderful coach but as an intelligent kind caring man. Plus he married the prettiest girl in town when I was in high school. I remember many occasions with Mr. Barr as my coach and also as my algebra teacher. One occasion I was struggling with an algebraic formula to pass for the week and there was a basketball game, I was the point guard and we were playing Rockwood, who was very good. Anyway, Mr. Barr kept me after class and had me break the formula down in three sections but only one section at a time. There were 20 questions. I broke each question’s formula down separately 3 times for each of the 20 questions then he graded in that manner and I didn’t miss a question. Mr. Barr smiled and said you didn’t miss a question Sammy. Now try not to have any turnovers in the game tonight against Rockwood. Got to see Mr. Barr a few times after high school in my hometown and even played basketball with him being home for the holidays with Dale Horchner. We were on the same pickup team on one occasion and no other team beat us that day, think we won 6 games in a row in that little school gym in Meyersdale on Main Street. Have many wonderful memories of Mr. Barr. He absolutely was a positive influence in my life and have thought of him many times. Haven’t seen him or Patti for many years but will always remember them. Lol, Patti sometimes would bring Mr. Barr a snack or lunch during our practices and would walk into the gym while we were practicing. She was beautiful, every teenage boy would stop and look at Patti. Mr. Barr would instruct us to continue with our scrimmage practice, ha ha ha. Wasn’t easy to do with his beautiful bride there handing him a snack she made for him. Mr. Barr was an excellent coach, teacher and person.
