Norman Dale Barber

Norman D. Barber, 97, passed away on May 31st, 2026, in Boise, Idaho, at Grace Assisted Living. He was born at the old downtown St. Alphonsus hospital in Boise, Idaho, on May 28, 1929, to Wayne Barber and Mary Krauth Sigmund Barber. He joined a family of a half-brother, half-sister and brother. His father was the principal of the old Cole School, and his mother was a housewife. It was during the depression years and there wasn’t an abundance of money in the household, but there was a surplus of love. He spent much of his time wandering up and down Cole and Allumbaugh roads checking out what was going on. Much of it was not on the parental approval list. Whenever the family made one of the many trips to Smith Prairie, Idaho, to visit relatives, it was like a trip to heaven.

Cole School was a Country School with eight grades. On the completion of the eighth grade, you could either go to Boise High School or Franklin High School. Norman chose to go to Boise Junior High School and then to Boise High. He graduated in 1947 with Highest Honors. While at Boise High he had success in track and was the manager of the 1947 boys’ basketball team that won the state championship.

He then attended The University of Idaho and graduated with honors in Education with a major in mathematics. He was on the 1950 University of Idaho mile relay team in track that set a school record and placed third in the Pacific Coast Conference Northern Division Track meet.

The Korean War was being fought when he graduated in 1951, so he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed Weather Observer School and was stationed at two bases in Germany, French Morocco and Mountain Home Air Force Base and was honorably discharged in 1955.

He began his education career in Boise teaching mathematics for seven years at West Junior High School and five years at Borah High School. He then taught mathematics and counseled at Boise High School for two years and retired in 1987 after eighteen years as a Counselor at Capital High School.

He was President of the Boise Education Association in 1964-65. At that time, the BEA did not have any negotiating rights with the Board of Trusties, but he worked hard to lay the foundation so when they soon obtained those rights, they were an effective force.

In 1962, his future brother-in-law, James Colemen, arranged a blind date between him and Jim's sister-in-law, Joan Huff, who had been widowed in 1961. It turned out to be an instant

success. Norman drove down every weekend from Moscow, Idaho, where he was attending Summer School, to date Joan. On the third date he proposed and she said yes.

Thus began the happiest 52 years of his life. To this instant family of Joseph, John and Jeffrey Huff was added Matthew Barber. Almost every Weekend during the summer was spent camping, frequently with Jim and Donna Coleman and their three boys, Tom, Dick and Don. Both Norm and Joan always had a large garden and several fruit trees that furnished food for their family as well as their parents. They emphasized academics and School involvement and all four boys excelled in both and graduated from college.

In 1979, Joan went back to work as the Attendance Secretary at West Junior High School and she retired in 1991. The two of them began doing more and more things together until finally they were almost inseparable. Many happy hours were spent golfing in Emmett and betting on the horses at Les Bois Park. Joan began having health issues and Norm willingly and lovingly assumed responsibility for her care until he lost her in 2015. From that point on, it was a day-by-day existence for him as life just couldn’t be the same anymore.

Norman always had a love for the outdoors and wildlife. In his earlier years, it took the form of hunting and fishing, but later in his life he and Joan were just happy to communicate with nature. He belonged to several organizations that stressed conservation, the welfare of wildlife and the environment.

Norman was preceded in death by his wife, parents, half-brother, half-sister, sister, two brothers and a great grandson. He is survived by stepsons Joe (Jeanie), John (Norma Gabriela) and Jeff Huff, son Matt Barber (Cindy), six granddaughters, two grandsons and three great grandchildren.

At his request, there will be no final public services. His one request is that each person resolves to live the Golden Rule and, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”