Fred Barber, 77, of Ellensburg, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Yakima Regional Hospital. Fred was born on October 31, 1930 in North Bend, Wash. He was the son of Fred and Lizzie Barber. Fred and his family lived on the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River on 160 acres of land that stretched to both sides of the river. Fred and his sisters Wander and Marie explored the wilderness that surrounded them and had many adventures along the river. Fred graduated from Mount Si High School in 1949 and while going to school played football. He was chosen to be on the all state football team and was known by his teammates as "Boom Boom" Barber. Fred served in the Korean War 1951-1953. When he returned from Korea he went to school at CWU and graduated with a degree in education. Fred loved to ski and worked weekends at Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area for Web Moffit. His first teaching job was in Enumclaw and he then joined the Dept. of Defense Schools teaching to servicemen's children at bases in Europe. His free time was filled with skiing and travel. While working in Germany, Fred met the love of his life, his wife Maria. They married in 1966 an in 1969 they left Germany for the Philippine Islands. Fred worked as an Industrial Arts and Math teacher at Clark Air Force Base until 1991. He was a great teacher and always found a way to make learning fun for his students. Fred loved woodworking and could build anything. He always had a new project he was working on and was very creative, giving his best effort to all that he did. Gardening was one of his great loves and while in the Philippines he grew many beautiful and exotic orchids. In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo erupted, which resulted in their moving to Izmir, Turkey where they enjoyed a new adventure until 1994. Fred and Maria retired to Ellensburg in 1994. Fred spent his summers planting beautiful flower and vegetable gardens for his family to enjoy. He had numerous bird feeders in his garden, and loved watching the quail and hummingbirds come to feed. Warm summer evenings were often spent with his family on the patio overlooking his lovely garden and discussing his favorite topics: the Seahawks, Mariners, fishing, and gardening. Fred and Maria raised four children and had a great life together for over 40 years. Fred is survived by his loving wife Maria; his sister Wander Pedersen; his children Shawn Barber (Linda), Ralph Barber (Erika), Debbie De La Fuente (Ricardo), Ray Barber (Ellen); grandchildren Cassandra, Christina, Meagan, Mitchell, and Kyler; and numerous nieces and nephews. Fred will be missed greatly by all his family and friends. He was our rock and our pillar of strength. There will be a time of visitation, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. at Steward & Williams Tribute Center in Ellensburg and on Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Steward and Williams Tribute Center in Ellensburg, with interment to follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Steward & Williams Tribute Center.