Anyone who knew my Uncle Dave, who passed away 20 years ago after a long history of heart ailments, knew that he could talk to anyone about anything. The amazing thing was that he had to drop out of school in the 8th grade. My Dad talked about this in his blog:
He loved to play basketball and was heartbroken to not be allowed to finish the eighth grade ruling out high school and a chance to make the basketball team. In 1984 a group of the Whitman College class of "34" in town for their fiftieth reunion came to my office to inquire as why their "classmate" Dave was not attending the reunion. An avid tennis player and Clark Gable look-a-like he was a popular man on campus tho not an enrolled student. Shortly before his graduation his father, grandfather Barel, had an attack of asthma.The only known paliative was to spend time in Arizona. The absence of mold and pollen in the desert climate provided temporary relief. This was the sheep shearing season. The family income was derived mostly in a short time each year by purchasing crops of wool from ranchers and reselling to Pendleton Woolen Mills.David entered the wool buying business with vigor. In fact his early successes in the business lead to a run in with the Leher family.
This is fascinating biography on Uncle Dave. I didn't realize that he went to work when he was about 15? Hope there is more in this tribune to David Barer.
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