"Nevada" Sam Barger

Physical stature means absolutely nothing when describing this giant of a man. Move over Goliath, here is “Nevada” Sam Barger.

No greater honor can a man receive than to be recognized by his peers and Sam has received countless honors throughout the years. We would all do well to emulate him as he has done so much for our society. The old adage is true, “Do what you love and you will be successful”. Sam has done this out of his love for the Barbershop Community and that which it represents, and no better representative of The Barbershop Harmony Society have we had the honor of knowing than “Nevada” Sam.

In 1997, one of the great men of our society, Lloyd B. Steinkamp, place Sam in nomination for the FWD 1998 Hall of Fame. Lloyd said, “Sam Barger has Been a Barbershopper for over 25 years. He has been actively involved since the very day he joined and continues to shine as one of the all time greats of the Far Western District”. The Hall of Fame award recognizes contributions to the district which go far beyond those normally expected of its members both musically and organizationally, and our “Nevada Sam” has gone far beyond the call of duty as the following will attest to.

Over the past 38 years, while Sam has been busy as a husband, a father to 7 children, a grandfather to 17 grandchildren, a great-grandfather to 8 great grandchildren, working and retiring from Sears & Roebuck after 37 years, house manager for the Pioneer Centre for the Performing Arts for 5 years, driving a school bus for 7 years, volunteer athletic coach for 17 years, he has found the time and energy to accomplish the following:

A distinguished chapter leader for the Reno Silver Dollar Chorus as a section leader (4 years), show producer (7 years), chorus manager (23 years), board member (18 years), program vice president and chapter president. He has been awarded Barbershopper of the Year as well as the President’s Award for all he has done for the Reno Chapter. In 1995 the Mayor of Reno presented Sam with the Community Gold Service Award for his work in promoting the Reno/Sparks area tourism with over 10,000 SPEBSQSA conventioneers. Oh, did we forget to mention he also sang with a competing quartet for 4 years and a competing chorus for 18 years?

At the district level, Sam has been Division VP, Division Convention Chairmen 5 times, Area Counselor, District Convention Chairman 6 times, Nominating Committee Chairman (twice), Executive VP, District President, Events Chairman (10 years) and Division Events Planner (14 years).

At the International level, Sam was a Chairman of Judges (2 years), Judge’s Secretary/CA (17 years), served on the Services Committee (Logopedics, 11 years) and International Board Member (2 years) and was a C.O.T.S. Instructor.

Mr. “Nevada” Sam Barger, it is our honor to dedicate this 2010 District Spring Convention to you for all you have done for us and the entire Barbershop Harmony Society. You are truly an inspiration to all of us.