Robert Lee Barr
Robert Lee Barr, 80, of Bloomington, passed away Tuesday, July 25, at Meriter Hospital in Madison.
He was born in North Lancaster, one of eleven children to Ellsworth and Elsie Barr. Robert was united in marriage to Barbara Mecum and together they raised three children: Stacy Mecum Barr (Barbara), Laura Lee Vickers (Patrick), and Susan Jane Kalinowski (James), in Mauston, where Bob taught and coached basketball, winning three conference championships in twelve years. Bob “retired” to the Mecum family farm in Bagley in 1973.
To stay in shape, he refereed football and basketball and umpired baseball for 43 years. During that time, he coached a talented girls’ basketball team to state. Robert’s education included Hazelton’s one room school, which is now the Dew Drop; he also graduated from Bagley High School, University of Wisconsin Platteville, and earned a Masters at Winona State in Minnesota.
An avid Milwaukee Brewer, Green Bay Packer and Badger sports fan, Bob loved to “downtown quarterback.” Coffee and round table at Ma’s Bakery, dirty clubs at Booray’s, and bridge at Tranel's were highlights of his days along with fishing, hunting, golfing, and gambling.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; children Stacy Mecum Barr (Barbara), Laura Lee Vickers (Patrick) and Susan Jane Kalinowski (James); eight grandchildren; brothers: Stanley and Larry; and sister, Doris Williams.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Burnell, Donald and Chester; sisters Charlotte Bradley, Jean Burns, Dorothy Schaefer and Maxine Barr.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 29, at 11:30 a.m., at Bloomington United Methodist Church. Private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be directed to the West Grant Rescue Squad, 136 Mill Street, Bloomington, WI 53804. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Bloomington is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.martinschwartzfuneralhomes.com.
