Kevin Barber ’78

Kevin Barber ’78 died in Detroit on January 31 after having a stroke the previous October. Kevin came to Dartmouth from Detroit Central High School. At Dartmouth he majored in psychology, starred at right end on the football team, and was a brother of Kappa Sigma. “Kevin was instantly loved by nearly everyone who met him,” said teammate Stephen Cuervorst. Following graduation Kevin earned a master’s in psychology at the University of Detroit. In 1990, he completed a doctorate in psychology at Vanderbilt. He returned to Detroit to begin his career as a psychologist at the Henry Ford Health System and later opened a private practice. While in hospice care the last few months of his life, Kevin received a heartfelt outpouring of love from friends far and near—especially from his Dartmouth family—in the form of calls, texts, emails, photos, and remembrances, all of which brought him smiles, peace, and joy. As his wife, Kerri, commented, it afforded Kevin the singular privilege of enjoying his memorial service while he was still alive. Kevin is survived by Kerri, a son and daughter, and parents John and Clare. All were with him when he died. “He was one of those larger-than-life personalities whose presence made the world a better place,” said close friend Rick Spier, “and he will be missed by all whose lives he touched.”