Robert Lee Barr

Robert Lee Barr, age 80, of Bloomington, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017, 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, WI, 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 refed 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; graduated from Bagley High School, University of Wisconsin Platteville, and a Masters at Winona State in Minnesota. An avid Milwaukee Brewer, Green Bay Packer, and University of Wisconsin sports fan, Bob loved to "down-town 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); Susan Jane Kalinowski (James); 8 grandchildren; brothers: Stanley, Larry and his 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 will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. at Bloomington United Methodist Church. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Family and friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. 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.