Alfred Barr, search-and-rescue technician, died after parachute drop malfunction: military Lethbridge native graduated from SAR training course in June
YORKTON, Sask. — The military says a search-and-rescue technician who died in a training accident in Saskatchewan had a parachute malfunction.
Master Cpl. Alfred Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing in Winnipeg.
The Royal Canadian Air Force says his death Wednesday is under investigation and the military has more questions than answers about what happened.
"We need to set search-and-rescue technicians up for success by giving them demanding and challenging training environments," Lt.-Col. Kevin Kozak, Barr's squadron commander, said Wednesday in Winnipeg.
"Yesterday was just another routine training day. They were operating in the vicinity of Yorkton, Sask., and during a parachute drop -- unfortunately there was a malfunction of some sort and Master Cpl. Alfred Barr did not survive."
Barr, originally from Lethbridge, Alta., joined the military in 2009, but had just graduated from the search-and-rescue training course in June.
The military said Barr's comrades were grieving the loss of a friend and member of a small, tight-knit group of highly trained rescuers known as "SAR Techs"
===
MARTIN BROTHERS - OBIT EXCERPTS
Master Corporal Alfred Ernest Barr went to be with his Heavenly Father March 8th, 2017 at the age of 31 years. He passed away in the vicinity of Yorkton, Saskatchewan doing what he loved: "jumping out of airplanes in an orange onesie," as a qualified Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician.
He is predeceased by his father Edward Barr
Alfred was born in Prince George, British Columbia on May 22nd, 1985. He spent the majority of his childhood years in the rugged beauty of Northern B.C. in a town called Fort Nelson. In 2002, Alfred was nominated by the Rotary Exchange Program to complete his 12th grade of high school in Denmark. This is where his love of exercise, discipline, and family heritage began to grow his character. Once back in Canada, Alfred moved with his family to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2005. There he obtained a diploma in Culinary Careers at Lethbridge College and became well known as an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, placing first in 2007. His summers were spent working as a chef in Waterton National Park, a place where he truly connected with creation. There he met his kindred spirits Andrew Primavera and Jon Green.
In 2010, he joined the military, starting first as a Signal Operator, and worked his way towards his lifelong dream of becoming a SAR Tech. In 2011, he met the love of his life: Stephanie Hempel. Many would agree that their relationship was defined by passionate love that endured the hardship that comes with long distance. They were woven together by letters sealed with wax, and their shared love of poetry and music. They got engaged the Christmas of 2015, geocaching in his beloved coulees in Lethbridge. He graduated as a SAR tech the summer of 2016, and was posted to Winnipeg where he was finally able to be with his love, Stephanie. His last months were full of adventure, challenges, learning and growing, much like his entire life.
Alfred was a creator and teacher. He was disciplined, humble and determined. He made dreams become realities, and no one could ever take his place.
YORKTON, Sask. — The military says a search-and-rescue technician who died in a training accident in Saskatchewan had a parachute malfunction.
Master Cpl. Alfred Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing in Winnipeg.
The Royal Canadian Air Force says his death Wednesday is under investigation and the military has more questions than answers about what happened.
"We need to set search-and-rescue technicians up for success by giving them demanding and challenging training environments," Lt.-Col. Kevin Kozak, Barr's squadron commander, said Wednesday in Winnipeg.
"Yesterday was just another routine training day. They were operating in the vicinity of Yorkton, Sask., and during a parachute drop -- unfortunately there was a malfunction of some sort and Master Cpl. Alfred Barr did not survive."
Barr, originally from Lethbridge, Alta., joined the military in 2009, but had just graduated from the search-and-rescue training course in June.
The military said Barr's comrades were grieving the loss of a friend and member of a small, tight-knit group of highly trained rescuers known as "SAR Techs"
===
MARTIN BROTHERS - OBIT EXCERPTS
Master Corporal Alfred Ernest Barr went to be with his Heavenly Father March 8th, 2017 at the age of 31 years. He passed away in the vicinity of Yorkton, Saskatchewan doing what he loved: "jumping out of airplanes in an orange onesie," as a qualified Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician.
He is predeceased by his father Edward Barr
Alfred was born in Prince George, British Columbia on May 22nd, 1985. He spent the majority of his childhood years in the rugged beauty of Northern B.C. in a town called Fort Nelson. In 2002, Alfred was nominated by the Rotary Exchange Program to complete his 12th grade of high school in Denmark. This is where his love of exercise, discipline, and family heritage began to grow his character. Once back in Canada, Alfred moved with his family to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2005. There he obtained a diploma in Culinary Careers at Lethbridge College and became well known as an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, placing first in 2007. His summers were spent working as a chef in Waterton National Park, a place where he truly connected with creation. There he met his kindred spirits Andrew Primavera and Jon Green.
In 2010, he joined the military, starting first as a Signal Operator, and worked his way towards his lifelong dream of becoming a SAR Tech. In 2011, he met the love of his life: Stephanie Hempel. Many would agree that their relationship was defined by passionate love that endured the hardship that comes with long distance. They were woven together by letters sealed with wax, and their shared love of poetry and music. They got engaged the Christmas of 2015, geocaching in his beloved coulees in Lethbridge. He graduated as a SAR tech the summer of 2016, and was posted to Winnipeg where he was finally able to be with his love, Stephanie. His last months were full of adventure, challenges, learning and growing, much like his entire life.
Alfred was a creator and teacher. He was disciplined, humble and determined. He made dreams become realities, and no one could ever take his place.
Alfred Barr, search-and-rescue technician, died after parachute drop malfunction: military Lethbridge native graduated from SAR training course in June
YORKTON, Sask. — The military says a search-and-rescue technician who died in a training accident in Saskatchewan had a parachute malfunction.
Master Cpl. Alfred Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing in Winnipeg.
The Royal Canadian Air Force says his death Wednesday is under investigation and the military has more questions than answers about what happened.
"We need to set search-and-rescue technicians up for success by giving them demanding and challenging training environments," Lt.-Col. Kevin Kozak, Barr's squadron commander, said Wednesday in Winnipeg.
"Yesterday was just another routine training day. They were operating in the vicinity of Yorkton, Sask., and during a parachute drop -- unfortunately there was a malfunction of some sort and Master Cpl. Alfred Barr did not survive."
Barr, originally from Lethbridge, Alta., joined the military in 2009, but had just graduated from the search-and-rescue training course in June.
The military said Barr's comrades were grieving the loss of a friend and member of a small, tight-knit group of highly trained rescuers known as "SAR Techs"
===
MARTIN BROTHERS - OBIT EXCERPTS
Master Corporal Alfred Ernest Barr went to be with his Heavenly Father March 8th, 2017 at the age of 31 years. He passed away in the vicinity of Yorkton, Saskatchewan doing what he loved: "jumping out of airplanes in an orange onesie," as a qualified Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician.
He is predeceased by his father Edward Barr
Alfred was born in Prince George, British Columbia on May 22nd, 1985. He spent the majority of his childhood years in the rugged beauty of Northern B.C. in a town called Fort Nelson. In 2002, Alfred was nominated by the Rotary Exchange Program to complete his 12th grade of high school in Denmark. This is where his love of exercise, discipline, and family heritage began to grow his character. Once back in Canada, Alfred moved with his family to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2005. There he obtained a diploma in Culinary Careers at Lethbridge College and became well known as an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, placing first in 2007. His summers were spent working as a chef in Waterton National Park, a place where he truly connected with creation. There he met his kindred spirits Andrew Primavera and Jon Green.
In 2010, he joined the military, starting first as a Signal Operator, and worked his way towards his lifelong dream of becoming a SAR Tech. In 2011, he met the love of his life: Stephanie Hempel. Many would agree that their relationship was defined by passionate love that endured the hardship that comes with long distance. They were woven together by letters sealed with wax, and their shared love of poetry and music. They got engaged the Christmas of 2015, geocaching in his beloved coulees in Lethbridge. He graduated as a SAR tech the summer of 2016, and was posted to Winnipeg where he was finally able to be with his love, Stephanie. His last months were full of adventure, challenges, learning and growing, much like his entire life.
Alfred was a creator and teacher. He was disciplined, humble and determined. He made dreams become realities, and no one could ever take his place.
YORKTON, Sask. — The military says a search-and-rescue technician who died in a training accident in Saskatchewan had a parachute malfunction.
Master Cpl. Alfred Barr was a member of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 17 Wing in Winnipeg.
The Royal Canadian Air Force says his death Wednesday is under investigation and the military has more questions than answers about what happened.
"We need to set search-and-rescue technicians up for success by giving them demanding and challenging training environments," Lt.-Col. Kevin Kozak, Barr's squadron commander, said Wednesday in Winnipeg.
"Yesterday was just another routine training day. They were operating in the vicinity of Yorkton, Sask., and during a parachute drop -- unfortunately there was a malfunction of some sort and Master Cpl. Alfred Barr did not survive."
Barr, originally from Lethbridge, Alta., joined the military in 2009, but had just graduated from the search-and-rescue training course in June.
The military said Barr's comrades were grieving the loss of a friend and member of a small, tight-knit group of highly trained rescuers known as "SAR Techs"
===
MARTIN BROTHERS - OBIT EXCERPTS
Master Corporal Alfred Ernest Barr went to be with his Heavenly Father March 8th, 2017 at the age of 31 years. He passed away in the vicinity of Yorkton, Saskatchewan doing what he loved: "jumping out of airplanes in an orange onesie," as a qualified Search and Rescue (SAR) Technician.
He is predeceased by his father Edward Barr
Alfred was born in Prince George, British Columbia on May 22nd, 1985. He spent the majority of his childhood years in the rugged beauty of Northern B.C. in a town called Fort Nelson. In 2002, Alfred was nominated by the Rotary Exchange Program to complete his 12th grade of high school in Denmark. This is where his love of exercise, discipline, and family heritage began to grow his character. Once back in Canada, Alfred moved with his family to Lethbridge, Alberta in 2005. There he obtained a diploma in Culinary Careers at Lethbridge College and became well known as an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, placing first in 2007. His summers were spent working as a chef in Waterton National Park, a place where he truly connected with creation. There he met his kindred spirits Andrew Primavera and Jon Green.
In 2010, he joined the military, starting first as a Signal Operator, and worked his way towards his lifelong dream of becoming a SAR Tech. In 2011, he met the love of his life: Stephanie Hempel. Many would agree that their relationship was defined by passionate love that endured the hardship that comes with long distance. They were woven together by letters sealed with wax, and their shared love of poetry and music. They got engaged the Christmas of 2015, geocaching in his beloved coulees in Lethbridge. He graduated as a SAR tech the summer of 2016, and was posted to Winnipeg where he was finally able to be with his love, Stephanie. His last months were full of adventure, challenges, learning and growing, much like his entire life.
Alfred was a creator and teacher. He was disciplined, humble and determined. He made dreams become realities, and no one could ever take his place.
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T48 891 884
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ALFRED BARR
RCAF
1985-2017
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