Profession mourns loss of Fred H. Barge, D.C., Ph.C.

The chiropractic profession has lost one of its most respected and influential leaders, Fred H. Barge, D.C., Ph.C., who died of a heart attack on July 2, at his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was 70.

He was one of 19 chiropractors in his extended family. He was founder and president of Barge Chiropractic Publishing in La Crosse and recently partnered with Dr. Bob Braille in the "Now You Know" company.

A graduate of Palmer College, Dr. Barge received more than 60 awards for his contributions to the profession. As a life-time member of the International Chiropractors Association, he served as its ninth president and spearheaded the successful opposition to a proposed merger with the American Chiropractic Association. He was recently re-elected as ICA vice president. He chaired two successful ICA international symposiums and headed the ICA’s Philosophy Council.

In addition, he served as a Palmer College trustee from 1973 to 1982 and was a founding member of the Palmer College of Chiropractic West Board of Trustees. In 1991 he was named a director of the campaign board for the Republican National Committee.

Dr. Barge, a second-generation chiropractor, also served as a member of the original Board of Directors of the World Chiropractic Alliance. He was an outspoken proponent of the organization and often wrote articles for The Chiropractic Journal. In one, he explained "Why I joined the WCA." He resigned earlier this year, citing his hectic schedule and increased demands.

“Dr. Barge's support of the World Chiropractic Alliance was instrumental in our successful reorganization,” WCA President Terry A. Rondberg stated at the time of his resignation. "We will always be honored and grateful for that support. As one of our founding board members, he will always hold a special place in our history and our hearts."

A prolific author of chiropractic and patient-education material as well as numerous books, his texts are required curricular texts in many chiropractic colleges. Barge was also one of the most popular speakers on the chiropractic lecture circuit, giving presentations on chiropractic philosophy and subluxation theory at symposia and seminars all across the United States. His papers were published by the ICA Review and other chiropractic organizations and widely distributed at many chiropractic colleges. His nine books included "Wryneck" (1998), "Giant vs. Pygmy + Thots" (1994), "Scoliosis" (1981), "Torticollis" (1979) and "Tortipelvis" (1976). (click here for a listing of his books, with ordering information)

His inventions included the Barge Tortipelvis Bench, a line of cervical technique chairs, a cervical adjustment pillow and vertical film filing cabinets. He held patents on two devices, a reclining radiographic table and a full-spine adjusting apparatus.

His awards included a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), a Lifetime Service Award from the ICA, ICA Chiropractor of the Year (1991), a Dedicated Service Award from the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association, a Special Recognition Award from the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, a Fellowship in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic (1986) and the Daniel David Palmer Chiropractic Scientific Award (1977). He was the PCCIAA Alumnus of the Year in 1986. The Palmer student body voted him Faculty of the Year in 2000. In March the PCCIAA gave him its 2003 Faculty Achievement Award.

No listing of his professional achievements can truly do him justice, since his real contributions to chiropractic went far beyond the positions he held or the books he wrote. He inspired generations of chiropractors to dedicate themselves to the principles of subluxation-based chiropractic, and to never sacrifice the unique quality of chiropractic.

Survivors include his wife and two daughters, Sally Barge Rusak, C.T., and Patricia Barge Berkley, D.C., as well as 10 grandchildren. Another daughter, Amy Barge, preceded him in death.

A private burial ceremony will be conducted in Wisconsin. Details about a memorial service at Palmer College will be released later. A memorial fund has been established by Dr. Barge's family through the Palmer Development Office in Davenport. Memorials may also be made to the ICA.