Stuart George Barr

Stuart George Barr, age 77, of Brooklyn, NY died peacefully on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at the Liberty Lane Hospice in Salisbury, NC after a valiant battle with lung cancer. 

He is survived by his three loving daughters, Sara Cothern Barr and husband Clark of Denver, CO, Mary Barr Gallivan and husband Sean of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Susannah Martin Barr of Charlotte, NC, as well as two beautiful grandchildren, Sarita Cothern Barr (age 7) and  Ryan Martin Barbee (age 4).  The family is grateful to have gathered together with their Dad over Labor Day weekend in Durham, NC.

Stuart graduated from Avon Old Farms in 1960 and was described as having “a fertile mind and versatile personality, with a fine sense of justice and a keen wit.” He was named the “Smartest Classmate” in his senior yearbook. Following Avon, Stuart was a proud double Duke grad (undergrad ‘64 and law ‘67) and went on to serve in the Navy after law school. 

He was the epitome of a lifelong learner and teacher. He had a near photographic memory and enjoyed giving knowledge and books to everyone he met. After spending several decades in Denver, CO practicing law and attending all his daughters’ sporting events (and making sure his daughters were raised as Duke basketball fans), he returned to Durham, NC in 2008. He served as a docent in the Duke Gardens and was a staple in the Duke Library. He was a voracious reader, and he spent time substitute teaching as well as tutoring and editing papers for non-native English speakers in Duke graduate programs.  He made dozens of friends and fans of all ages during his time in Durham.

His greatest end-of-life wish was to be accepted into the Duke Anatomical Gifts Donation program so that he could continue teaching post-mortem. His wish was granted, and he was accepted into the program and will now be a “silent teacher” for students and researchers at Duke. A group service will be held by the Anatomical Gifts program at the Duke Chapel at the conclusion of his teaching. At Stuart’s request, there will not be a public service at this time. 

The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support.  They would like to recognize the amazing care of  Dr. Mark Maddox, Stuart’s oncologist at the Durham VA Medical Center, and the incredible staff at Liberty Lane Hospice at the Salisbury VA Medical Center for their wisdom, kindness, and exceptional care. 

In lieu of flowers/gifts, the family requests you send a donation to one of the following organizations:

Duke Anatomical Gifts Program: (to serve medical education and support donor families through the donation process)

Checks payable to: The Anatomical Gifts Program, Duke School of Medicine

Attn: Gwendolyn Keith

The Anatomical Gift Program

DUMC Box 3952

Durham, NC 27710

Lungevity: (dedicated to driving advances in lung cancer detection and treatment)

Donations online:

www.lungevity.org

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