BENJAMIN BARGER

BARGER, BENJAMIN
Benjamin Barger, 94, passed away on July 1st. He was born in 1920, in Belgian Congo, Africa, to medical missionary parents, Dr. Gervase and Myrtle Barger, the 3rd of 4 children. The family returned to the U.S. when Ben was 10.
He entered George Washington University in 1939 and worked for the Advertiser's Art Studio with the Washington Post doing drawing, lettering and cartooning. In early 1943, he enlisted in the Army and served in France and Germany, earning a Bronze Star.
Returning to Washington, D.C. in March, 1946, Ben soon met Marilyn McDaniel at a USO dance at her church. He was the square dance caller. They married on Thanksgiving Day, 1946. He finished his B.A. in Psychology at George Washington and then earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duke in 1952.
Ben became Chief Psychologist at Ohio State University Medical Center, and later, Director of Psychological Services at the Columbus Psychiatric Institute. He was active in the national and state Psychological Associations and became President of the Ohio Psychological Association in 1958.
Ben was recruited to serve as Co-director of a preventive program of Student Mental Health Service at the University of Florida in 1959. He later became its Director and a Professor in the Psychology Dept. In his 25 years at UF, he wrote many grants, served on Dissertation committees, was a guest lecturer and consultant at other colleges and was active in professional associations. He co-authored several books and wrote many professional articles.
Ben and Marilyn volunteered over 5500 hours at Alachua General Hospital and were ushers at the Phillips Center since it opened. They were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and volunteering in many areas.
Ben was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was predeceased by Marilyn, his wife of 62 years, and his youngest daughter, Karen Hunter, as well as his older sisters, Wenona Diggle and Erva Zuckerman and his younger brother, Rex Barger. He is survived by daughters Lynn D'Louhy (Rick) and Jan Bledsoe (Mike), son-in-law Wally Hunter, grandchildren Jennifer Bouch (Gabe), Lisa Tweedy (Addison), David D'Louhy (Sarah), Lara Cato (Brian), Ben Bledsoe (Lindsey), Brittany Hunter, Pope Hunter (Julie) and Brian Hunter, along with 14 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, August 7, 2015, at 3:00 at Trinity United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials made to Trinity UMC, 4000 N.W. 53rd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32653, for missions. Please visit Ben's memorial page at
www.williamsthomas
funeralhome.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS
DOWNTOWN
(352) 376-7556