FMS loses notable alum

C. Phillip Barger, 83, FMS ’45 and a former trustee and executive committee member of the Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, in Charlottesville, Virginia.  One of the school’s most loyal alumni, he was a charter member of the Colonel Young Brigade and with his son-in-law John Conrad had donated the General Wayne Hotel property to the school.

Mr. Barger was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett W. and Katherine Barger; his brother, Warren Barger; a grandson, John Conrad Jr., and his wife of 58 years, Helene Torgersen Barger. He is survived by his children, Katherine B. Conrad and husband, John, of Richmond, Jennifer B. Ball and husband, Brian, of Richmond, Cyrus P. Barger Jr. and wife, Anne, of Waynesboro, Theodore N. Barger and wife, Amy, of Charlottesville. Survivors also include eight grandchildren. 

After graduating from Fishburne and in 1950 the United States Military Academy, he served in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper and in the 2nd Armored Division in Germany. Upon returning from military service he worked for E.W. Barger and Company, founded by his father and G.H. Branaman in 1911. He worked for the company from 1954 through 1998, where he served as President and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Barger participated in numerous local civic organizations, including the Waynesboro Rotary Club, in which he was a past president. He served as a Director of CFW Communications, Augusta Hospital Corp., Augusta County Historical Society, and the Virginia Historical Society. He was a Commissioner of the Virginia Port Authority, and served as Founding President of Wintergreen Partners.

Mr. Barger’s father was a charter trustee of the Fishburne-Educational Foundation on whose board the father and son served successively for 25 years.