Bob Barringer
Asheville - Bob Barringer passed away at his home in downtown Asheville at the age of 84 on June 13. He was a man whose ready laugh and joy of life was always evident, despite his 8-year fight against Parkinson's.
Bob was a man of character and integrity, a true Southern gentleman. He was an early leader in community college education. He began his career as a high school history teacher and coach in Orlando in the early 1960s. At that time, the community college movement was in its infancy, and The Kellogg Foundation had started a doctoral program in community college leadership. Bob was recruited into the first class.
After earning his doctorate, he became vice-president at The College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC. Within his first year, the college's president departed and Bob, at age 29, took the office, making him the youngest college president in the country. "It was a distinction I quickly aged out of," he joked.
He went on to serve as president of Catonsville Community College in Baltimore County, MD, and Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. In the 1980s, the Exxon Foundation named him one of the most effective college presidents in the United States, a distinction held by few community college presidents at that time.
At the height of his career, he resigned from Brookdale and went home to Albemarle, to care for his ailing father during the last months of his life. Bob's career then took a unique turn: he became a professional interim president, stepping into often complex, difficult situations where institutions had fired their presidents and needed a steady hand at the helm. Bob developed a reputation for leading colleges through difficult times, raising morale and, along the way, he made lifelong friends across the country. He served a record 11 times as interim community college president -- at large, urban colleges in Seattle, San Antonio and Philadelphia, and smaller institutions in Wyoming, eastern North Carolina, and at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pines.
In 2016, Bob received the American Association of Community Colleges' lifetime achievement award. He got a standing ovation from the 6,000-member audience attending the ceremony, and commendations from the governor and state legislature. But more important to him were the scores of students, faculty, staff and board members whose lives he touched over the years, many of whom took the opportunity recently to send him grateful notes and remembrances of his influence on their lives.
With his wife, Kim MacQueen, Bob started Gold Hill Associates, a community college presidential search firm. To date, Gold Hill has helped 150 community colleges in selecting new presidents.
In the mid-1990s, Bob and Kim moved to Asheville and were active in the renaissance of downtown Asheville. Moving in to what was then a rather quiet downtown, they opened Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas, one of the first espresso cafes in Asheville. While president at Mayland CC, Bob would often come to Asheville on the weekends and help behind the counter. Once he was conferring with the Lt. Governor about college business while mopping the shop's floor!
Bob was an Eagle Scout and a Marine, retiring from the reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He lived a life of service and contribution.
He loved hiking, until Parkinson's robbed him of this joy, and live music. His favorite was bluegrass and, although he enjoyed the Symphony, he always thought it could be improved with the addition of a banjo or two.
He was born and raised in Albemarle, and attended Wake Forest University for his undergraduate degree. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida at Gainesville.
He is survived by his wife, Kim MacQueen; daughter Jennifer; former wife Janice Barringer, with whom he remained close; nieces Claire and Rose, who were faithful in their calls and visits to "Uncle Bobby;" and family and friends across the country. All will miss his quiet, strong and compassionate presence.
Throughout his life and especially during his illness, Bob has enjoyed the support and love of many friends both locally and across the country. The family wants to thank them all, as well as Dr. Clay Ballantine and his staff for being Bob's medical rock.
A private service is planned at a later date. Those wishing to honor Bob in a traditional manner may donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation . And Bob would encourage anyone who wants to remember him to go out and see some live music and raise a shot of moonshine in his honor!
Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on June 18, 2017
Asheville - Bob Barringer passed away at his home in downtown Asheville at the age of 84 on June 13. He was a man whose ready laugh and joy of life was always evident, despite his 8-year fight against Parkinson's.
Bob was a man of character and integrity, a true Southern gentleman. He was an early leader in community college education. He began his career as a high school history teacher and coach in Orlando in the early 1960s. At that time, the community college movement was in its infancy, and The Kellogg Foundation had started a doctoral program in community college leadership. Bob was recruited into the first class.
After earning his doctorate, he became vice-president at The College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC. Within his first year, the college's president departed and Bob, at age 29, took the office, making him the youngest college president in the country. "It was a distinction I quickly aged out of," he joked.
He went on to serve as president of Catonsville Community College in Baltimore County, MD, and Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. In the 1980s, the Exxon Foundation named him one of the most effective college presidents in the United States, a distinction held by few community college presidents at that time.
At the height of his career, he resigned from Brookdale and went home to Albemarle, to care for his ailing father during the last months of his life. Bob's career then took a unique turn: he became a professional interim president, stepping into often complex, difficult situations where institutions had fired their presidents and needed a steady hand at the helm. Bob developed a reputation for leading colleges through difficult times, raising morale and, along the way, he made lifelong friends across the country. He served a record 11 times as interim community college president -- at large, urban colleges in Seattle, San Antonio and Philadelphia, and smaller institutions in Wyoming, eastern North Carolina, and at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pines.
In 2016, Bob received the American Association of Community Colleges' lifetime achievement award. He got a standing ovation from the 6,000-member audience attending the ceremony, and commendations from the governor and state legislature. But more important to him were the scores of students, faculty, staff and board members whose lives he touched over the years, many of whom took the opportunity recently to send him grateful notes and remembrances of his influence on their lives.
With his wife, Kim MacQueen, Bob started Gold Hill Associates, a community college presidential search firm. To date, Gold Hill has helped 150 community colleges in selecting new presidents.
In the mid-1990s, Bob and Kim moved to Asheville and were active in the renaissance of downtown Asheville. Moving in to what was then a rather quiet downtown, they opened Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas, one of the first espresso cafes in Asheville. While president at Mayland CC, Bob would often come to Asheville on the weekends and help behind the counter. Once he was conferring with the Lt. Governor about college business while mopping the shop's floor!
Bob was an Eagle Scout and a Marine, retiring from the reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He lived a life of service and contribution.
He loved hiking, until Parkinson's robbed him of this joy, and live music. His favorite was bluegrass and, although he enjoyed the Symphony, he always thought it could be improved with the addition of a banjo or two.
He was born and raised in Albemarle, and attended Wake Forest University for his undergraduate degree. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida at Gainesville.
He is survived by his wife, Kim MacQueen; daughter Jennifer; former wife Janice Barringer, with whom he remained close; nieces Claire and Rose, who were faithful in their calls and visits to "Uncle Bobby;" and family and friends across the country. All will miss his quiet, strong and compassionate presence.
Throughout his life and especially during his illness, Bob has enjoyed the support and love of many friends both locally and across the country. The family wants to thank them all, as well as Dr. Clay Ballantine and his staff for being Bob's medical rock.
A private service is planned at a later date. Those wishing to honor Bob in a traditional manner may donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation . And Bob would encourage anyone who wants to remember him to go out and see some live music and raise a shot of moonshine in his honor!
Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on June 18, 2017
Bob Barringer
Asheville - Bob Barringer passed away at his home in downtown Asheville at the age of 84 on June 13. He was a man whose ready laugh and joy of life was always evident, despite his 8-year fight against Parkinson's.
Bob was a man of character and integrity, a true Southern gentleman. He was an early leader in community college education. He began his career as a high school history teacher and coach in Orlando in the early 1960s. At that time, the community college movement was in its infancy, and The Kellogg Foundation had started a doctoral program in community college leadership. Bob was recruited into the first class.
After earning his doctorate, he became vice-president at The College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC. Within his first year, the college's president departed and Bob, at age 29, took the office, making him the youngest college president in the country. "It was a distinction I quickly aged out of," he joked.
He went on to serve as president of Catonsville Community College in Baltimore County, MD, and Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. In the 1980s, the Exxon Foundation named him one of the most effective college presidents in the United States, a distinction held by few community college presidents at that time.
At the height of his career, he resigned from Brookdale and went home to Albemarle, to care for his ailing father during the last months of his life. Bob's career then took a unique turn: he became a professional interim president, stepping into often complex, difficult situations where institutions had fired their presidents and needed a steady hand at the helm. Bob developed a reputation for leading colleges through difficult times, raising morale and, along the way, he made lifelong friends across the country. He served a record 11 times as interim community college president -- at large, urban colleges in Seattle, San Antonio and Philadelphia, and smaller institutions in Wyoming, eastern North Carolina, and at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pines.
In 2016, Bob received the American Association of Community Colleges' lifetime achievement award. He got a standing ovation from the 6,000-member audience attending the ceremony, and commendations from the governor and state legislature. But more important to him were the scores of students, faculty, staff and board members whose lives he touched over the years, many of whom took the opportunity recently to send him grateful notes and remembrances of his influence on their lives.
With his wife, Kim MacQueen, Bob started Gold Hill Associates, a community college presidential search firm. To date, Gold Hill has helped 150 community colleges in selecting new presidents.
In the mid-1990s, Bob and Kim moved to Asheville and were active in the renaissance of downtown Asheville. Moving in to what was then a rather quiet downtown, they opened Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas, one of the first espresso cafes in Asheville. While president at Mayland CC, Bob would often come to Asheville on the weekends and help behind the counter. Once he was conferring with the Lt. Governor about college business while mopping the shop's floor!
Bob was an Eagle Scout and a Marine, retiring from the reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He lived a life of service and contribution.
He loved hiking, until Parkinson's robbed him of this joy, and live music. His favorite was bluegrass and, although he enjoyed the Symphony, he always thought it could be improved with the addition of a banjo or two.
He was born and raised in Albemarle, and attended Wake Forest University for his undergraduate degree. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida at Gainesville.
He is survived by his wife, Kim MacQueen; daughter Jennifer; former wife Janice Barringer, with whom he remained close; nieces Claire and Rose, who were faithful in their calls and visits to "Uncle Bobby;" and family and friends across the country. All will miss his quiet, strong and compassionate presence.
Throughout his life and especially during his illness, Bob has enjoyed the support and love of many friends both locally and across the country. The family wants to thank them all, as well as Dr. Clay Ballantine and his staff for being Bob's medical rock.
A private service is planned at a later date. Those wishing to honor Bob in a traditional manner may donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation . And Bob would encourage anyone who wants to remember him to go out and see some live music and raise a shot of moonshine in his honor!
Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on June 18, 2017
Asheville - Bob Barringer passed away at his home in downtown Asheville at the age of 84 on June 13. He was a man whose ready laugh and joy of life was always evident, despite his 8-year fight against Parkinson's.
Bob was a man of character and integrity, a true Southern gentleman. He was an early leader in community college education. He began his career as a high school history teacher and coach in Orlando in the early 1960s. At that time, the community college movement was in its infancy, and The Kellogg Foundation had started a doctoral program in community college leadership. Bob was recruited into the first class.
After earning his doctorate, he became vice-president at The College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC. Within his first year, the college's president departed and Bob, at age 29, took the office, making him the youngest college president in the country. "It was a distinction I quickly aged out of," he joked.
He went on to serve as president of Catonsville Community College in Baltimore County, MD, and Brookdale Community College in New Jersey. In the 1980s, the Exxon Foundation named him one of the most effective college presidents in the United States, a distinction held by few community college presidents at that time.
At the height of his career, he resigned from Brookdale and went home to Albemarle, to care for his ailing father during the last months of his life. Bob's career then took a unique turn: he became a professional interim president, stepping into often complex, difficult situations where institutions had fired their presidents and needed a steady hand at the helm. Bob developed a reputation for leading colleges through difficult times, raising morale and, along the way, he made lifelong friends across the country. He served a record 11 times as interim community college president -- at large, urban colleges in Seattle, San Antonio and Philadelphia, and smaller institutions in Wyoming, eastern North Carolina, and at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pines.
In 2016, Bob received the American Association of Community Colleges' lifetime achievement award. He got a standing ovation from the 6,000-member audience attending the ceremony, and commendations from the governor and state legislature. But more important to him were the scores of students, faculty, staff and board members whose lives he touched over the years, many of whom took the opportunity recently to send him grateful notes and remembrances of his influence on their lives.
With his wife, Kim MacQueen, Bob started Gold Hill Associates, a community college presidential search firm. To date, Gold Hill has helped 150 community colleges in selecting new presidents.
In the mid-1990s, Bob and Kim moved to Asheville and were active in the renaissance of downtown Asheville. Moving in to what was then a rather quiet downtown, they opened Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas, one of the first espresso cafes in Asheville. While president at Mayland CC, Bob would often come to Asheville on the weekends and help behind the counter. Once he was conferring with the Lt. Governor about college business while mopping the shop's floor!
Bob was an Eagle Scout and a Marine, retiring from the reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He lived a life of service and contribution.
He loved hiking, until Parkinson's robbed him of this joy, and live music. His favorite was bluegrass and, although he enjoyed the Symphony, he always thought it could be improved with the addition of a banjo or two.
He was born and raised in Albemarle, and attended Wake Forest University for his undergraduate degree. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida at Gainesville.
He is survived by his wife, Kim MacQueen; daughter Jennifer; former wife Janice Barringer, with whom he remained close; nieces Claire and Rose, who were faithful in their calls and visits to "Uncle Bobby;" and family and friends across the country. All will miss his quiet, strong and compassionate presence.
Throughout his life and especially during his illness, Bob has enjoyed the support and love of many friends both locally and across the country. The family wants to thank them all, as well as Dr. Clay Ballantine and his staff for being Bob's medical rock.
A private service is planned at a later date. Those wishing to honor Bob in a traditional manner may donate to The Michael J. Fox Foundation . And Bob would encourage anyone who wants to remember him to go out and see some live music and raise a shot of moonshine in his honor!
Published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on June 18, 2017
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