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Robert Barr Obituary
Born in Peoria, Ill. on Dec. 20, 1931, he was the eldest son of Arthur R. and Ruth M. Barr.
Bob graduated from Spalding Institute in Peoria and entered Marquette University in 1948. The following year he joined the Society of Jesus at Florissant, Mo. He studied at St. Louis University, receiving degrees in philosophy and theology. In 1967, he received his doctorate from the Institute Catholique de Paris.
Later, he taught at St. Louis University, the Pontifical Russian College in Rome, and St. Anselm's College. He left the Jesuit order in 1974.
From 1974 to 1979 he was associate editor at Silver Burdett Company in Morristown, N.J. The family then moved to Connecticut in 1979 where he spent a year at Twenty-Third Publications.
In 1981, he returned to the classroom as a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Connecticut, Avery Point, and later at Three Rivers Community College. Teaching gave him great joy in his life, and he cherished the chance to share his ideas on the universe and evolution inspired by his fellow Jesuit, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
Also at this time, he began his important work as translator of the many books by Latin-American liberation theologians who were interpreting their Christian faith through the suffering of the poor and critiquing the society and institutions that allowed these injustices. His work was acknowledged when he received the Christopher Award for his 1986 translation from Spanish of "Faith of the People" by Pablo Galdamez.
He was the author of "Main Currents in Early Christian Thought", "Scriptural Comfort for Trying Times", "Dr. Barr's Tales: Stories of Katharine", and most recently, "The Future of Evolution". Bob was also a poet who wrote with great beauty and sensitivity.
His intelligence, kindness and humor will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Bob is survived by his wife of 36 years, Marilyn (Fish) Barr; their daughter, Margaret and her fiance, Mark Leonard. Also surviving are his brother, Richard Barr and his wife, Patricia, of Peoria; and niece, Pamela, Kerri and Beth.
He was the loving and proud father of Katharine (Katie) Barr, who passed away in 2000.
A Memorial Mass to celebrate his life will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Preston.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center, 744 Long Hill Rd., Groton, CT 06340 or, Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic, CT 06355.
The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, historic downtown Mystic is assisting the family.
To share a note of remembrance/condolence with his family, please visit www.dinotofuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Barr
Sponsored by K. van Bemmel Holly and family.
Mark Leonard
July 6, 2019
Hey, Papa Barr...
I think you would be proud of the family we have built around your memory. I am grateful for the time we had together, and often see glimpses of your brilliance, defiance and passion in your three sweet grandchildren. We miss you lots, Bob. Say 'Hello' to Katie for me.
Love Always,
Your son, Mark
Nancy Hahn Stalik
February 9, 2016
I have thought of Dr. Barr so many times over the years... I was just finding my niece's address in my old address book to send her a Valentine's Day card when I happened upon Dr. Barr's old address in North Stonington. Although I was shocked and sad that my quick google search brought up his obituary from years ago, I can imagine that he passed away peacefully and happy. Of all my professors at UCONN, only Dr. Barr was memorable to me. He was authentic and unpretentious. I enjoyed how his brilliance showed through his humor. In his Philosophy and Logic class, he provided me with many of those mind-opening realizations that happen, or hopefully happen, when we move from childhood to adulthood. Our attention begins to focus of things outside of our own influence. My mind's eye is now remembering him in my favorite picture... he is jogging over the grass through the lovely Avery Point Campus. He is carrying his little girl on his shoulders, her little legs are on either side of his neck, hanging down in front of his chest. He has a good hold of them. They are both laughing... That is how I wish to remember him... RIP, Dr. Barr.
Kate Holly
September 17, 2014
I think of Bob very often. His wit, his over-the-top intelligence, his love. It's nice to see people continue to visit this guest book.
September 17, 2014
I think of Bob and the family often! Marilyn, I hope you are well. If you have moved, would you send your new address to me at [email protected]? Kate, it was a wonderful gift to keep Bob's legacy page going. When Robin Williams died, all I could think of was Bob. Both so gifted
Celebration of our Civil Union.
Aaron Lewis
September 15, 2014
My deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Barr. He was a passionate and enormously inspiring teacher, and he made me a better man.
Audra Strangman
November 27, 2011
I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a great professor, and a genuinly warm person. He was always up for a debate, but was also willing to help others in their search for knowledge. He loved his family ( I am sorry, but not only did I just read of Bob's passing, but Katie's as well.) My warmest thoughts to you at this time.
Caroline Fish
July 28, 2011
Dear Marilyn and Margaret,
Kyle and I learned of Bob's death yesterday. Needless to say, we were very surprised. Kyle always looked forward to his heated discussions with Bob, especially during his rebellious teen-age years...
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and Margaret during this difficult time.
Dave Carlin
July 24, 2011
Marilyn and Margaret,
Only today, July, did we learn of Bob's death. What a remarkable man he was. He had more than his fair share of suffering in life. But I suppose he figured (quite correctly) that for a Christian, to suffer is to participate in the Atonement of Christ. I am sorry we saw so little of him in recent years. In imagination, I often looked forward to listening to him tell me I was wrong and to telling him that he was wrong. What a lovely conversation that would have been. My very deep condolences.
Dave Carlin
Jo An Carter
July 7, 2011
Marilyn, so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was always a very special friend of Marty's (Nick) and mine. May God bless you and Margaret at this difficult time.
Hubert / Noëlle GUILLAUME
July 6, 2011
Dear Marilyn and Margaret,
My prayers for Bob, my condolences to his family. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good friend to me, I will miss his presence. I will never forget Robert
Mary Lou (McGann)Menefee
July 6, 2011
My prayers for Bob, my condolences to his family. I am a cousin, on the Hendren side of the family but we were only close in our very early years
Georgana (Wahl) Donnelly
July 6, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are sent to your family. My gransmother lived next to the Barr's on McClure Ave. in Peoria many years ago. What a wonderful God filled life Bob gave to many.
July 5, 2011
Marilyn, I am so sorry for your loss. Bob and I were friends in the Jesuits, and then we lost contact. A wonderful, and brillliant and kind and extraordinarily good man. Bob Faricy SJ
Jim Mescall
July 3, 2011
Marilyn,
Please accept our condelences. We will all miss Bob greatly. He had a fantastic mind and a wonderful spirit. He was incredibly outgoing and kind to everyone he met. He was memorable to say the least. He added something to life that nobody else did. To call him unique was an understatement. He entertains the Lord as we speak.
With all out Love,
Jamie, Linnea, Cara & Max
July 3, 2011
Dear Marilyn and Margaret,
We were saddened by Bob's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
With peace ~ Joan, Suzy and Cindy ~ Westerly Hospital Dialysis Unit
July 3, 2011
My Condolences. My sister and I delivered The Day paper 25 yrs ago and The Barr's house was on our route. I can remember all the mornings he would be waiting at the door to greet us with a smile. There were even times when we were late and he was upset, yet he was still there smiling. RIP Mr. Barr
Karen Henseler Woodmansee
July 1, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr Barr was my favorite professor out of eight years of higher education! He was a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, smart and very funny man. Out of all my college experiences, his words, music and lectures are the ones I remember even though they took place 25 years ago. I always wondered how he was and once I saw him at Harkness Park and he remembered me too - as I have a feeling he would remember all his students. God Bless you during this difficult time and may you find peace knowing he is home.
June 30, 2011
Dear Marilyn and Margaret,
Love and peace to you both. Our thoughts are with you at this very sad and difficult time. We have the loveliest memories of you all. Great North Stonington times. Always here for you.
The Gauchers (Pauline, Bob, Christian and Tanner)
Kathryn van Bemmel-Holly
June 30, 2011
My heart goes out to you, Marilyn and Margaret, and I know Bob is blissfully one with God and Katie. I can't remember a time when your family wasn't a part of our lives, even moving from NJ to CT at almost the same time.
I'll be the first to say this here, but probably not the last: Bob was a uniquely gifted man. We all thought very highly of Bob and my Dad, having worked with Bob for so many years, held him in very high regard. I had the honor of studying under Dr. Barr when i took one of his philosophy courses in 1985. I learned things that I had thought were beyond my capability of understanding and over subsequent years I spent time with Bob at social events, where he was patient enough to explain to me how the universe works. Dr. Barr was a fascinating, thoughtful, witty, and kind man as well as a gifted writer and translator.
It does my heart good to know that Bob is part of God along with his Katie, my parents Laurie and jack, and my husband, Jim. Bob gave me great consolation when Jim died. I always looked forward to seeing Bob--but now I'll have to wait even longer.
Peace be with you both. My heart goes out to you; I share in your great sadness.
Marianne Roberts
June 29, 2011
Margaret and Marilyn, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good friend to me, I will miss his presence.
Jim and Laurie Beth Bailey
June 28, 2011
Dear Marilyn and Margaret,
We are so very sorry to hear about Bob's passing! I have to admit that my second thought, after grieving for the two of you, was to think of the joy upon the reunion of Katie and her Daddy. Marilyn, I will call you soon. Much love, sympathy and prayers to you/for you.
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