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1930 Laird 2024

Laird Barber

May 13, 1930 — June 23, 2024

Morris, Minnesota

Memorial services for Laird Barber of Alexandria, formerly of Morris will be held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Federated Church in Morris, MN, with Reverend Matthew Orendorff officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris.

Laird Barber was born on May 13, 1930 to Katharine and Laird H. Barber in Greenwich, Connecticut. He attended school in Riverside, Connecticut, as well as at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1948. Laird received his B.A. from Williams College in Williamstown, MA, graduating in 1952. Laird served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, spending his service in Korea. Laird earned his M.A. in English from the University of Michigan in 1956, and later obtained a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature in 1962.

On January 23, 1960, Laird was united in marriage to Dorothy K. Barber. The couple moved to Grinnell, Iowa in 1961, where Laird began teaching English and Humanities at Grinnell College. Laird and Dorothy moved to Morris in 1964, where Laird began teaching at the University of Minnesota Morris. There he taught English, Literature, Humanities, and English Composition from 1964 to 1994, with some part-time service thereafter. At UMM, Laird also served as Coordinator of English, along with also serving in many committees in the Humanities Division, on the All-University Consultation Committee, and serving on the Senate Judicial Committee. Laird’s faith was also very important to him, and he was a Warden of Christ Episcopal Church in Benson.

Laird and Dorothy loved to travel together, anywhere and everywhere. Together they visited Canada, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Indonesia. After Dorothy passed away, Laird continued to travel extensively from China to South Africa.

Laird passed away at his home in Alexandria on Sunday, June 23, 2024. He was 94 years old.

Laird is survived by his son: “Jake” Laird H. Barber and partner Nikki Kissner of St. Joseph, MN; grandson: Duncan VanDemark; nieces: Elizabeth H. Lawlor, Barbara H. Maropas, and Katherine B. Hanson. He was preceded in death by his wife: Dorothy Barber; daughter: Joani VanDemark; his parents and sister: Frances Dorrance.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for Laird. 

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Friday, July 12, 2024

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