Loren Barker Obituary

Loren Robert Barker, 79, of Rock Creek near Clinton, Montana, passed away on May 31, 2025, in Livingston, Montana, surrounded by his children after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born April 23, 1946, to Dorothy and Cleland Barker in Corning, New York, Loren lived a rich and varied life. His zeal for adventure, outgoing and curious nature, dedication to his loved ones, and his passion for the natural environment endeared him to all he encountered and lives on in his children. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, educator, athlete, coach, outdoorsman, caregiver, and wellness advocate, he wove his passions into every role he embraced. Loren will be remembered for his boundless positivity, quick wit, love of wordplay, and charming sense of humor.

After graduating from Cornell University, where he played on their Ivy League champion lacrosse team, Loren pursued a career in education that spanned over 30 years in Hawaii, Vermont, and California, both as a teacher of social studies and history and later as an administrator after being credentialed at Stanford University. He inspired countless students by integrating his love for adventure and community service into their learning, creating extracurricular programs to expose them to the wonders of nature through backpacking trips and wellness activities.

In his free time, Loren loved to be outdoors in any way he could: running, hiking, camping, windsurfing, backpacking, fly fishing, and capturing wildlife in his photographs and drawings. After his retirement, he relocated to Rock Creek in Montana, a place he had loved since his first visit in high school with his good friend and mentor, Gerry Walizer. In his final years, daily bike rides from his house became his passion, where he could both encounter the abundant wildlife and his many friends and acquaintances along “the crick.” Fascinated by the rich history of the area, Loren was known for hosting gatherings at his home and favorite restaurants, where he loved to bring his friends and neighbors together to meet, talk, and celebrate life.

Loren is survived by his brother, Bruce Barker of Fairway, KS; his son, Robin Barker (wife Kathryn Barker) of Livingston, MT; his daughter, Melanie Barker (husband Yann Lhomme), and their mother, Janet Dawson of Petaluma, CA; and his grandchildren, Thibaud, Josephine, Estelle, and Laina. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sari, and his wives, Linda Chatham and Barbara Lepp.

A celebration of Loren’s life will be held in the summer of 2026 on Rock Creek, Montana, with details to be announced. Please contact his son, Robin, at [email protected] to be put on the event mailing list, receive a link to his online obituary, or contribute any personal stories or photos you would like to share.