Abram Moses Barch

Abram Moses Barch Abram "Abbey" Barch, age 85, passed away on February 25, 2010 after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born on November 9, 1924 in Chicago to Oscar and Riva (Krupnik) Barch. During the Depression, he moved with his parents to the small rural community of Ligonier, Indiana where his father ran a clothing store. He went to their excellent High School where he became the drum major of the band and spent hours practicing his baton. Even in later years he would show off with a few twirls. He always considered himself a "Hoosier" and was proud of having attended Indiana University. He was preceded in death by his brother, Yehuda Jacob Barch, who was 11 years his junior, and several cousins he was close to. Surviving are his wife, Stephanie (Henoch); sons, David (Daverille Sher), Daniel (Joan); 3 grandchildren, Rachel and Jack Barch and Casey Figueredo; and sister-in-law, Joan Barch. Abbey interrupted his college career to join the Army Signal Corps in 1943. He served 3 years in India keeping telephone and other communication devices operating. After his return he finished his studies at Indiana University with a BA degree in Psychology in 1949. In the same year he met and married Stephanie at the University and they spent 61 happy years together. They went to the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, and received their PhD degrees in 1952, Abbey in Psychology and Stephanie in Biology. They moved to Washington, D.C. where the WWII Private First Class became the Deputy Director of the Army Psychological Agency for three years with an assimilated rank and honors of a Lieutenant Colonel. During this time their sons were born. Abbey always wanted to be a College Professor and in 1955 he accepted a teaching position at Michigan State University in the Psychology Dept. and retired as a full professor in 1991. He loved teaching but he was a strict disciplinarian and expected the best from his students. For recreation he enjoyed playing tennis. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 1924 Coolidge Rd., East Lansing with Rabbi Amy Bigman officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the MSU Foundation, 300 Spartan Way, East Lansing, MI 48824-1005. Arrangements by Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.