1968 President Donald Duncan Barr

Donald Duncan Barr was born January 19, 1920, at St. Paul, Minnesota. John D. Barr, his father, was from Canada and his mother, Emily, was born in Wisconsin.

1968 - DONALD DUNCAN BARR

Mr. Barr attended the University of Minnesota and earned an Associate Arts degree in 1945. He further studied at the University of British Columbia during 1946 and 1947. He completed work for a B.S. degree in 1949 at Lewis and Clark College and a M.Ed, in 1951. His M.S. was accomplished at Oregon State University in 1970. In the academic years of 1962-63, he received a National Science foundation grant and was chosen to become a research intern for 1969 to 1971 also aided by a federal grant. Donald and Dorothy were married in 1948 and they have two children. Heather was born in 1952 and Alan in 1953.

Mr. Barr’s days, evenings, school year and summers are spent in related science fields of endeavor. By day from 1950 to 1970 he has been teaching biology in the Portland Public Schools. He has taught general science at the Portland Community College, and in the Portland evening high school, and natural history, 1967 - 1969, in the Beaverton Adult Education program. He is employed in the research department of the Portland Public schools, and is a National Science foundation writer on the secondary school science project. He is presently teaching and counseling at Jackson High School.

Being a Camp Leader is one of Mr. Barr's first loves. He was the Director of Camp Hancock in 1964, Camp Arago in 1965, and Damp Alpine in 1968. He led the OMSI Science Tours in 1965 and 1968.

Mr. Barr is affiliated with organizations pertaining to his varied interests. He is a member of the Wilderness Society, the Native Plant Society, the Audubon Society (National and Local), the Geological Society of the Oregon Country, the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the National Association of Geology Teachers. He is a member of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church. "Build It Yourself- Science Equipment" was the title of an article he wrote for the Portland Public Schools. He has also written for the Canadian Audubon Society Journal and the Western Conservation Journal.

The theme of the programs during his presidency was Historical Geology. His President's Camp-Out was held at Camp Arago at Coos Bay, Oregon. During his term of office the Society made the move to OMSI for the Meeting nights and maintains a permanent Library room. It was also the first year of the winter G.S.O.C. lectures open for public registrants. Mr. Barr is especially proud of the financial and permanent building structures that were contributed to Camp Hancock during 1967-1968.

Historical note from Carol Hasenberg:

I remember Don Barr, a very respected member of GSOC, from my early days in the society. I had a very interesting discussion with him about science and religion once during a GSOC event.

From the Oregonian archives, Don Barr’s obituary reads as follows:

Donald Duncan Barr 01/20/1920 to 09/11/2009 

Donald was born in St. Paul, Minn He was a science teacher for Portland Public Schools Donald is survived by his daughter, Heather Whitney; and son, Alan.