Remembering Dr. Fred Barge

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Dr. Fred ... you will be missed

I remember being in in third quarter at LIFE and Dr. Barge in his Shakespearian voice calling us his favorite "Fledgling Chiro-practors" I thought this guy is a trip. Yet within 10 minutes, I'm looking at a doctor who wrote books, hung out with Bernie Siege, Robert Mendelsohn, and was in class with B.J. Palmer himself!! What a treasure of knowledge this guy must have! I know a lot of students ridiculed his methods and skipped out of his lectures, but I really enjoyed speaking with him, I am from Wisconsin originally and we actually did sit down and talk at times, I enjoyed hearing him for Thursdays lectures at LIFE. and as a guest speaker in class during DE. I had him sign a copy of One Cause One Cure in Sept 95. I will re-read it this fourth of July weekend and remember him fondly!

-- Randy C. Moze D.C.

As part of Fred Barge's chiropractic family, my thoughts go out to his personal family, may they find great comfort from their many years with this wonderful man. I met this great chiropractor when I was a student and found him an elegant and principled voice and presence regardless of the turbulence within our profession. I will never forget him, and with his passing recognize that chiropractic's present and future is in the hands of those who remain. Such big footprints to fill! Of course he's with B.J. now, wouldn't we all love to hear those conversations!

  -- Madeline Behrendt, D.C.

I remember listening to Dr. Barge at Life College during some classes when he came to speak. Those visits prompted me to read his books. It is a shame when any principled chiropractor leaves this earth.

  -- Mark C. Smith, DC

I recall hearing Dr. Barge for the first time in 1st quarter at Life:  His voice resonating with the words "Good morning fledgling chiropractors!" before giving us our first lesson in chiropractic philosophy.  His is an inspiration to us all.  Dr. Barge will be missed,
but not forgotten. 

  -- Dr. Jeff Snyder, Oaks, PA

I have a letter written to me from Dr. Barge in response to an article that I had sent to him while a student at Life University.  I was in 4th qtr. and came across an article written by a "medipractor" as Dr. Barge described him! That article was negative towards subluxation based DC's, and at that time I was not yet grounded in "philosophy." I wrote to Dr. Barge and expressed my confusion to which he replied "Do not worry about medipractors! Learn with your heart, fledgling chiroprac-tor...." I will treasure that letter as it is framed and hanging in my office!!!!!

  -- Dr. Peri Fletcher, Atlanta, Ga.

Fred was a long time friend, and we kidded each other, that he resembled me with his white hair and beard, he would call me Barge, and I called him Sigafoose. It is a sad day when we lose CHiropractors like him, I will miss him, and his contributions.

  -- SIGAFOOSE

How lucky are we as chiropractors, to have had Dr. Fred Barge as a teacher, author, and friend.  He will be missed but never forgotten. 

  -- John A. Virag B.S., D.C.

He was an inspiration to many. The chiropractic community has lost a great man. May he rest in peace.

  -- Dennis O'Hara D.C., Bellport, NY

Chiropractic has lost a great historian, teacher and chiropractic warrior.  My memories of Dr. Barge are as a student attending my first ICA convention.  We sat till the wee hours of the morning listening to Dr. Barge speak of chiropractic.  With a voice like that, I could have sat for hours.

-- Dr. Kristen Giles, D.C.

I am sorry to hear of Dr. Barge's passing - indeed he influenced my understanding of the subluxation- and power of the body to heal itself. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. The world is a better place because he lived in it.

  -- Stephanie Blackton, D.C., Virginia

Thank you so much Fred for the light you shined into my heart en so many others. You wil be deeply missed by me and my family. Thank you so much

  -- Tor-Inge Dragland DC, The Netherlands

What I remember about Dr . Barge was the joy with which he lived. His passion was evident in every book he wrote, every student and doctor he conversed with, every Guinness he drank; basically every thot he conveyed. I have not personally spoken to Dr. Barge in 4 years but he was part of the fondest memories of my schooling. He was a "Man in Full". Full of integrity. Full of intelligence. Full of life. He represented the best of our chosen profession. He made a mark. He will not be replaced.

  -- Dr. Glenn Lundy, Life Class of 2000

I will never forget the unique and distinct voice of Dr. Barge. His tone was one of a kind and it drew attention to what he was saying and also demanded respect. My "thots" are with Dr. Barge

-- Chad Jacobs, D.C.

The news of Fred Barge's death came as quite a shock to me.  I do not think I will ever forget his deep, booming voice, his sharp wit, acute intelligence and his uncanny grasp of chiropractic and human philosophy.  He was and will continue to be an inspiration to me.  Dr. Barges writings are timeless.  Are You The Doctor? Doctor.  , a brief, humorous and highly informative read should be required reading each and every year of the chiropractors professional life. As I sit here in Ireland, tonight I will toast Fred Barge with a pint of Guinness.  Fred once told me he would drive out of his way for a pint of his favorite beer, Guinness.   I suggest to all of you who like to indulge in an occasional pint, pour a Guinness and toast to Dr. Fred Barge.   Cheers Fred!!!   God Bless.

 -- Dr. J. Zimmerman, Dublin, Ireland via New Jersey

I'm a current student at Palmer College and a SWCA (Student World Chiropractic Alliance) member. It is our summer break right now and I was shocked and saddened deeply with the terrible news of this great man's passing. I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to listen to Dr. Barge speak in a number of our philosophy classes a true honor. I can still hear him... "Good morning fledgling chiropractors!" Dr. Barge is a true inspiration and a chiropractic legend that rivals all of those that have come before him. Thank you Dr. Barge.

 -- Walter Scott

The first time that I heard Dr. Fred speak was at an ICA pediatrics conference in Maui, HI (on the roof top of the Wailea hotel) and his speech had me electrified with strong chiropracTIC philosophy for weeks. In fact, I recorded the "spizz night" that he hosted and I frequently listen to it.  He had a passion for chiropracTIC that was contagious and his passion for chiropractic was responsible for my strong interest in learning more about chiropractic philosophy. The profession will miss him.

  -- Robert S. Watson D.C., Oro Valley, AZ

He truly was and is one of the great leaders of our profession. I had the privilege of meeting him in Trimester 1 at Logan in or around August 1987. I have never forgotten his address to our class. It is but a sad reminder that we are here but only for a while. He sure seemed to have made the best of his time here.

  -- Rich Roth, D.C.

I mourn for Dr. Barge's death. Dr. Barge was maximum study adviser of my new study. Dr. Barge was only one aid person for my study about Crohn's Disease and spinal curvature malfunction. The letter to have celebrated the publication of my paper became his last letter. I mourn for losing the only understanding person.

  -- Yasuhiko Takeda, Japan

I have fond memories of Dr. Barge roaming through the halls of Life West and in my Philosophy class. He made a strong statement for the certainty of what chiropractic stood for and there was absolutely no doubt in any cell of his body. I feel blessed to have experienced his charisma, steadfastness and conviction to our profession. God bless you Dr. Barge.

-- Debbie Victoria-Seale, D.C., San Francisco, CA

I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Barge speak at a number of seminars and events.  He taught the Scoliosis module at the first ICPA certification held in Toronto; I heard him at DE in Miami and on three or four other occassions over the years; I've listened to him on tapes and  through my monthly Paradigm Partners CDs. Although my interactions with Dr. Barge were limited, he established a secure place among my list of the greatest teachers and contributors within our profession.  He had a profound influence on at least a generation of chiropractors, many of whom he may never have met.  I have a great sense of loss today.  I can only imagine how much he will be  missed by those who truly knew him. God Bless you, Dr. Barge, your family and all those  who were lucky enough to be influenced by your life.

  -- Katharine du Quesnay, B.P.H.E., D.C., F.I.C.P.A

He will truly be missed in this wonderful profession called Chiropractic. His literature and required reading in Chiropractic college are what developed my foundation for understanding what subluxation-based Chiropractic is all about.

  -- Opal J. Garman, D.C., Tulsa, OK

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To add your tribute to this page, e-mail your message to the WCA.