RITA BARGER

RITA BARGER Rita Hamlin Barger, 77, died Friday, September 26, 2025, at Ignite Medical Resort in Kansas City, MO, after a brief bout with cancer, and a long, award-winning career as a pubic school teacher and University professor. Her good friend and choir director wrote: "The world's I.Q. fell a little and its dedication to going the extra mile for students lessened when Dr. Rita Barger passed Friday afternoon. We know her as a singer, handbell ringer, occasional percussionist, and a brilliant, witty, loving friend. We love you, Rita." From her bio at the University of Missouri at Kansas City: Rita Barger taught middle school and high school mathematics, as well as gifted students, in the Hickman Mills School District before coming to UMKC as a professor in mathematics education "teaching teachers to teach math," as she liked to put it. She wanted to get students "excited" about mathematics. Rita earned her PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she was a percussionist and met her husband, Richard -- in Marching Mizzou and the University symphonic orchestra. She earned a B.S. in Education with a dual major of mathematics and instrumental music. She had an M.A. in Mathematics, and an M.S. in Gifted Education, and led a highly respected program for gifted and talented students. She was a state finalist for the Teacher in Space Program the one that ended with the Challenger disaster in 1986; a state finalist for Missouri Teacher of the Year; was recognized as the Outstanding Post-Secondary Mathematics Teacher in the State of Missouri; was one of 100 National Tandy Technology Scholars; and was honored with the Kansas City Spirit Award. She also received a Citation of Merit for Outstanding Achievement and Meritorious Service to Education from the University of Missouri's College of Education and awards from the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Kansas City Area Teachers of Mathematics. Rita's involvement in mathematics education was highlighted in a Kansas City Star article, as "sort of ironic, for someone who originally wanted to be a music teacher." "I was always good in math, but I was going to major in music education," said Barger, who had been concertmistress of her high school orchestra. She laughs as she tells the story: "But my first calculus class, as a freshman, I looked around the room and noticed that there were probably five girls in the class. Well, the professor learned all of our names because there were only five of us and so then, of course, the boys learned all of our names. And I thought, 'Hmmm. This is pretty good.'" She was passionate about encouraging women to succeed in mathematics education. Rita continued with music, eventually singing in two church choirs and playing in two handbell choirs. An avid Mizzou sports fan, Rita rarely missed a football game and attended all basketball games that didn't conflict with her teaching schedule. She told friends, "Don't call us during Mizzou football or basketball games; we won't answer the phone." She was a "Hall of Fame" member of the Tiger Scholarship Fund and Mizzou Athletic Fund and a life member of the University of Missouri Alumni Association, where she was recognized with the Association's Faculty-Alumni Award. She also was a member of the Jefferson Club and the Kadlec Society. Rita was born on October 9, 1947, in Sedalia, MO, to Logan Ralph and Lillian Margaret Schoenfeld Hamlin. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard B. Barger, and two beloved cats, Tigger and Cheetah. Preceding her in death were her father and mother, her sister, Patty Jo Hamlin Sage, her brother, Barry Roger Hamlin, an infant sister who died shortly after birth, and her grandmother. She also is survived by seven nieces and nephews and their families. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 2, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Malta Bend Cemetery in Malta Bend, MO. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. John's United Methodist Church, Country Club United Methodist Church, or the University of Missouri-Columbia in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com "Go Tigers"