Richard "Sev" Severn Barber

We have been so grateful to have had Sev for 93 years whose sense of humor and friendship were valued by many.  For Hazel, Merrill and Jared,  he always will be a very beloved husband, dad and grandpa.
Sev was born and lived in Pennant, Saskatchewan until he was 13 years old.  In 1944 he moved to Redcliff , and then lived his married life in Medicine Hat.  In 1947, he began employment with the Redcliff Premier Brick Co. for about 5 years. That is when he met and married Hazel Lavenne and made his home in Medicine Hat. His next employment was with the Medicine Hat Transit System where he worked as a driver until 1966.  While a bus driver, he was mentioned in the June 1955 issue of Maclean’s magazine and then interviewed for the Medicine Hat News in September 2014. Moving on, his new place of employment was at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital where he worked in the Boiler Plan as a Power Engineer.  He continued his studies in this position until he obtain certification as a 2nd Class Power Engineer.  In 1973, he was appointed to a position of Supervisor of Maintenance.  During his employment with the hospital, he wanted to inspire others and taught 4th Class Power Engineering at the Medicine Hat College for 5 consecutive years.  Sev was actively involved in Occupational Health and Safety and chaired the Safety Committee at the hospital for approximately 12 years .  He also was Treasurer for the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering for 7 years.  After 25 years with the hospital, he took early retirement in 1991.
Sev lived in his own home up until  a recent hospital stay - cooking, cleaning, yard work, and yes,  still snow  shoveling.  Every afternoon he visited Hazel at Masterpiece and recently they celebrated their 72nd Wedding Anniversary.  Some of his favorite pastimes were motorcycle riding, golf, playing hockey and watching Fawlty Towers with Jared; fishing, and maintaining a well-manicured yard. More recently he liked sitting down at  the computer, going to the Moose with the Saturday breakfast club, playing pool and enjoying meals with/and receiving food packages from his generous friends.  
Sev was predeceased by his son, Darwin James Barber, in 1976.  Survived by his wife, Hazel, daughter, Merrill Cannon(Stewart) grandson Jared Blackmore (Jay-Lynn) and his brother, Frank Barber. Others who predeceased him was his mother (Flora); father (Carl), and older brother (James). 
Sev cherished his family and friends and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.  To honor his wishes there will not be a funeral or memorial service.    

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