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Birth Announcement
Obituary

Richard ‘Dick’ Barber

KASILOF,  ALASKA — Longtime Kasilof, Alaska, resident Richard Emmanuel “Dick” Barber, 77, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at Kat’s Elder Care in Kasilof.

Dick was born April 15, 1936, in St. Ignatius. He grew up and went to school in Ronan and was a member of the CS&K Tribe. He received his Bachelor’s of Education Degree from Western Montana College in 1959. He moved to Alaska in 1977 and lived in Venetie, Nome, Anchorage and Kasilof. He was both a teacher and principal, but coaching football, track and basketball were his passions.

Dick enjoyed camping with family and friends, fishing, an occasional game of golf and watching college and pro football. Dick’s smile will be remembered by many. He was a good-natured jokester who loved to make people laugh. Children loved “Papa Dick” because of his fun playful personality. Family was very important to him and he often said that his father told him if you could count on one hand the friends who have always been there for you, then you have led a good life. “We will treasure memories of camping trips, water fights he started and stories he shared,” his family wrote.

Dick’s parents Emanuel and Ruby Barber; sisters Patricia Barber and Sherry Sadler; brother James Barber and his son Dick Barber all preceded him in death. 

He is survived by his wife Linda Barber of Kasilof; son Jimmy Barber of Portland, Ore.; step-daughter Deb West of Port Angeles, Wash.; step-son Mike McConnell of Anchorage; step-daughter Barbara Caballero of Kalama, Wash.; step-son Mitch McConnell of Montesano, Wash.; daughters Brandi Barber and Megan Zpalagyi, both of Anchorage, Alaska, Jodi Walsh and Staci Flynn both of Missoula; 32 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister Bea Noble; and brothers Sam, Scott and Tom Barber.

Services have been held.

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