Remembering Dr. Fred Barge

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Dr. Fred ... you will be missed

Like chiropractic itself, Fred was unique and I doubt if we’ll ever see another like him. His dedication to chiropractic philosophy made his name nearly synonymous with subluxation-based chiropractic. He never wavered, never compromised.

I was so incredibly honored to have him join the WCA board and I told him at the time that he was the one who would always make sure we never strayed from our purpose. In one way, I’ll miss him so much. But in another way, he’ll never really be gone. He’ll always be right here with us, making sure we do the right thing.

  -- Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., World Chiropractic Alliance President

THE LEADER

The deep remorse and anguish felt from the blows received below the belt.

That oft are dealt to leaders when they speak out with voice and pen.

Are kept inside these sovereign souls. They take no governance over goals.

And these we see that to the end, true leaders lead and never bend. --

                                                                                                       FHB 1996.

Thanks for always leading Dad. We miss you.

Patty
(Dr. Patty Barge)

I cannot say how deeply we feel the loss of this great man. Fred was always one of my heroes, and when he agreed to run as my vice president I was not only honored, I was in awe. We had a short time together, but I will always be grateful for his wisdom and his sage advice. We will miss him, I will miss him, but he will always be with us in spirit.

  -- C.J. Mertz, D.C., International Chiropractors Association President

He was a dear friend of mine. We affectionately referred to each other by the presidential numbers we both held in ICA. I would often get a phone call that started with ‘Greetings number 11,’ to which I replied, ‘Greetings number nine.’ ...  

I can recall countless ‘Bargisms’ as we called them, where his wit and delivery of philosophy of chiropractic and life itself would amaze us and humor us at the same time. Over the coming days you will no doubt read much about the life of Fred Barge. He has, and will always have a profound effect on our profession and on many of us who he has touched.  Fred was one of those rare individuals who always seemed ‘up.’

It was great to work with him, and it was great to socialize with him. We spent much time together over the years and tipped back more than just a few ‘libations.’ The chiropractic profession is much better having had a Fred Barge. The world is much better having had a Fred Barge. And my own life is much better having known Fred Barge. 

I will miss you my friend, and will end this as you would have, ‘Enuf Said.’

  -- Bob Braile D.C., past ICA President

We have lost a great friend and a legendary presence at Palmer. My father, Dr. David Palmer, valued his friendship with Dr. Barge very much. I am glad we have the wonderful displays of artifacts and epigrams he recently helped assemble on the three Palmer campuses as a reminder of his love for Palmer College and Palmer history. His energy and great love for Palmer were boundless. No doubt he is now enjoying conversations with the other great chiropractic philosophers who preceded him in heaven.

  -- Vickie Palmer, Chairman of the Palmer Chiropractic University System Board of Trustees

Fred was such an inspiration to me. He personified the quintessential chiropractic qualities of faith in the body's power to create and heal itself, optimism and positivity as the greatest mental tools for living, deep respect for the values and principles of chiropractic's founders and a lifelong passion for exploring how these values translate into excellent patient care.

As he worked with tireless energy on Palmer's LCP program, and the ICA's new Diplomate in Philosophic Chiropractic Standards, I got to watch a man for whom retirement was not an option. Why would he retire from doing the things he so loved to do? Fred embraced life to the fullest, and knew that this is what chiropractic is truly about; living your own life on your own terms. The best way we can honor his life is to carry on with his work, which is truly our own work, of bringing chiropractic to the whole world."

  -- David B. Koch, D.C., Palmer's vice president for Professional and International Affairs.

The Life of Dr. Fred Barge... one word... INTEGRITY.

  -- John Cafferty, DC, DACS, FICA, LCP (Hon.)

I will never forget the eloquence and uniqueness of the beret and ascot wearing Dr. Barge.  His Shakespearean, almost thespian style presentations to us as students at Life University filled our 'Fledgling ChiropracTOR' heads with excitement and pride for having been chosen to be members of such a noble profession. ADIO y ADIOS."

  --  Liam P. Schubel D.C., Lima, Peru

As a 97 grad of Life College I had the opportunity to hear him several times. I real inspiration for me. My deepest regrets.

  -- Dr. Sean Woods 

The "Young Lions" continue to stand watch sir.......

You will be missed, God bless

  -- Chad J. Rohlfsen

First quarter at Life West, Fall 1998 – F.H.B. was a guest lecturer for 1 week. I followed him for one week – missing all my classes but never missing one of his lectures. A truly great man who never passed up a conversation about TIC or a pint of Guinness – Cheers, Dr. Barge, ‘nuf said!

Kevin Ehl D.C., Cafe of Life, Port Moody - B.C.

Dr. Barge always found the time to say "Hi" no matter how busy he was. He will be missed a lot here at school. (Palmer College)  He was a gentleman always!!!!

-- Keith Schleper

As a recent Palmer grad, and an officer in the SICA, I had many opportunities to listen to Dr. Barge lecture (I don't think I ever missed one) and talk to him in his office and SICA functions.

I can't recall Dr. Barge ever saying no to us in the SICA, whether it was speaking at an end of trimester dinner, or donating an autographed book for our auction. He was always willing to stop in the hallway and his office door was always open to students. Dr. Barge enjoyed giving back to his profession and it showed.

I first heard Dr. Barge speak at DE in 1997, 2 years before I started at Palmer. I heard his "Life Without Fear" message and I has changed my life and will change the lives of my patients. The one thing that Dr. Barge taught me that I remember more than anything else is that the doctor must never remove hope from the patient. For with hope, every patient and every country in the world has a chance.

Let's all make sure that subluxation-based chiropractic will continue to flourish, so that all patients, and parents of patients, will at least have hope.


  -- Dan Wiggins, PCC Class 032

I am very sad to hear about Dr. Barge.  "Life Without Fear" was the book that inspired me to seek out and read a number of the Green Books, all of which shaped me into the principled chiropractor I am today.  He will be missed immensely.  May God bless and comfort his family and all of us that he touched and inspired.

  --  Dr. Jeffrey Brunner

There are few in our profession who liked Fred Barge ... you either loved him or hated him.  But regardless of how you felt, you had to respect him for what he has accomplished, the beliefs that he stood up for and the dedication he has given to this amazing profession.  He was a man of great integrity, knowledge, charm, professionalism, dedication and love.  It was an honor to hear his lectures at school.  It was such a unique experience to listen to a man who had learned from some of the legends of our profession and forged his own path to become a legend of his own.

In truth, Dr. Barge will never truly be gone.  It is much like the epigram he often quoted that states "Is a man truly dead if his ideas still live?"  No, Dr. Barge will live on in the hearts of many as we carry on the torch that has been passed to us by this great man.  The love and prayers of my family and myself go out his lovely wife Audrey and the rest of his family.  May God give you all peace and comfort during this difficult time.

  -- Rick Montgomery, 10th trimester fledgling chiropractor - Palmer College of Chiropractic

As a 1998 graduate of NYCC,  I had one rare opportunity to hear Dr. Barge speak.  Until 5th trimester, I never really heard the term Subluxation.  I did however learn of spinal lesions and restrictions.  I only knew that Chiropractic was an option for musculoskeletal conditions.  I slowly began to forget what fueled my own desire to become a chiropractor.  While sitting in class at NYCC and listening to Dr. Barge speak, it all started to come back to me.  I started to experience the energy that drove me to Chiropractic school in the first place.  He spoke of Chiropractic in a light that I had always known it; "One Cause One Cure". ( Yes, I bought the book from the bookstore and read it three times in one trimester.).  During his lecture to our class, he asked if anyone had a life changing experience with Chiropractic.  Without hesitation, I raised my hand and he smiled but barely acknowledged it.  He didn't want to hear my story at all.  He gestured toward me since I was the only one to raise my hand, and said, "You didn't choose Chiropractic ... it was Chiropractic that chose you."

I truly believe in my heart that it was Dr. Barge that was responsible for affirming  Chiropractic for what it really is, the detection and correction of vertebral subluxation.  When I got the news via email of Dr. Barge's death from Dr. Rondberg (to all WCA Board of Governors), I felt a huge lump in my throat and a huge void in my heart.  But it made me realize that Dr. Barge has worked hard for many years so Chiropractors like myself could have more success than ever adjusting subluxations and experiencing "Life Without Fear."  I made up my mind to step up and work harder for the profession that I am dedicated to.

I want the family of Dr. Barge to know that I plan to continue to live my life with honor, integrity and love for Chiropractic.  His work will not be forgotten.

  -- Lawrence T. Bellows, D.C., Mansfield, PA