Bruce Barber, 76, passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell Montana on Sunday, August 17, 2014. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn. on April 24, 1938 to Madeline McManus and Elmer Barber. He attended Hainesport Elementary School, Rancocas Valley Regional High School and Gettysburg College where he majored in economics and minored in psychology. He also attended Sterling Institute for Management courses, Temple University for courses in Law and the College of Insurance for Principles of Risk Management and Insurance courses.
He started his business career working at PSE&G in Burlington, New Jersey. While living in Hainesport, NJ, Bruce was elected to the town counsel and served as Mayor and Commissioner of Police. He then went to work at Royal Insurance as the Territorial Claim-Loss Manager. He continued in this industry until his retirement in 1999. His last position was Executive Vice President/Corporate Secretary and a Corporation Director of Partners Reinsurance Company where his office was in the World Trade Center. He spent six years in the Army Reserve.
He married Carol Mathis in 1960. She passed away in 2007.
He met Kay Ellen in 2008 in Mesquite, Nev. and they were married August 11, 2009 in Bigfork, Mont. where they spent the summers.
At age 12 Bruce began caddying at the local golf club and continued to play golf for the next 60 years. His other hobbies were: dancing (when he was young he danced on American Bandstand), bowling, billiards, playing cards and watching football. He was a very active member of Mesquite United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay Ellen; two step-sons, Charles and James; and two cousins, Carol Remey and Gary Behler.
A memorial service will be held Saturday November 8 at 11 a.m. at the Mesquite United Methodist Church, 420 W Pioneer Boulevard, Mesquite, Nev. He will be buried in the family plot near Jamestown, RI.
Donations may be made to Mesquite United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Condolences may be sent to 385 Eagle Bend Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911.
