Laurence Luther Barber

KEENE, N.H. - Laurence Luther Barber, 90, of Keene, N.H., died on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, in Keene.

He was born in Nashua, N.H., on April 19, 1916, son of the Rev. Laurence Barber and Laura (Bidwell) Barber. He married Lucia Back, in Portland, Maine, in 1940.

After receiving his doctorate in public administration from Harvard, he taught at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., before embarking upon a career with the United Nations, working in 13 countries in South America, Africa, and Asia.

They returned to live in West Yarmouth in 1975, where Laurie was involved in local government, serving on most town committees. A member of the Yarmouth Historical Society, Laurie wrote several books on Yarmouth, Cape, and Quaker history.

Following the death of his wife in 2004, Laurie moved to Keene to be closer to family. A member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) for over 60 years, he helped start Friends Meetings in West Hartford, Conn., and Salt Lake City, Utah, and was active in the Yarmouth Preparative Meeting. Laurie is survived by his daughter, Lucie Germer; a son, Luther Barber; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A memorial service under the care of the Keene Friends Meeting will be held on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. at Langdon Place, Keene. A service will be held in South Yarmouth, Mass., under the care of the Yarmouth Preparative Meeting at a later date.